An aspiring health communication specialist from Qatar, the founder of a global magazine in South Korea, and an avid storyteller from Lithuania are among the 116 dynamic students making up Northwestern Qatar’s 16th incoming class, the Class of 2027.
Chosen from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, the largest in the school’s history, the Class of 2027 is one of the most selective classes to join Northwestern Qatar. In addition to their academic achievements, this group of students represents over 25 countries and brings varied perspectives and experiences, adding to the rich global tapestry of the Northwestern Qatar community.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2027 to Northwestern Qatar," said Marwan M. Kraidy, Dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. "These exceptional students possess the passion, curiosity, and drive that will make a difference in the media and communication landscape. We are confident that they will positively contribute to our community and make an impact on the world around them."
Among the new Qatari students who make up nearly 60 percent of the incoming class is Dana Ziani, who decided to pursue her academic journey at Northwestern Qatar to merge her passions and unlock her full potential as a health communication professional. Driven by her desire to leverage her scientific knowledge and passion for media to create a positive impact on society, she is determined to make a difference in the field of health communication.
“As someone who is passionate about both science and media, NU-Q seemed like the right place for me to gain the necessary skills, resources, and mentorship needed to excel in my career as a health communicator and contribute to the well-being of people and communities in Qatar and around the world,” said Ziani. Prior to starting her undergraduate career, Ziani was part of the Qatari Youth Delegate to the UN, and now, as a student at Northwestern Qatar, she plans to work on campaigns for health awareness.
Chosen from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants, the largest in the school’s history, the Class of 2027 is one of the most selective classes to join Northwestern Qatar. In addition to their academic achievements, this group of students represents over 25 countries and brings varied perspectives and experiences, adding to the rich global tapestry of the Northwestern Qatar community.
"We are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2027 to Northwestern Qatar," said Marwan M. Kraidy, Dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. "These exceptional students possess the passion, curiosity, and drive that will make a difference in the media and communication landscape. We are confident that they will positively contribute to our community and make an impact on the world around them."
Among the new Qatari students who make up nearly 60 percent of the incoming class is Dana Ziani, who decided to pursue her academic journey at Northwestern Qatar to merge her passions and unlock her full potential as a health communication professional. Driven by her desire to leverage her scientific knowledge and passion for media to create a positive impact on society, she is determined to make a difference in the field of health communication.
“As someone who is passionate about both science and media, NU-Q seemed like the right place for me to gain the necessary skills, resources, and mentorship needed to excel in my career as a health communicator and contribute to the well-being of people and communities in Qatar and around the world,” said Ziani. Prior to starting her undergraduate career, Ziani was part of the Qatari Youth Delegate to the UN, and now, as a student at Northwestern Qatar, she plans to work on campaigns for health awareness.
“"We are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2027 to Northwestern Qatar. These exceptional students possess the passion, curiosity, and drive that will make a difference in the media and communication landscape. We are confident that they will positively contribute to our community and make an impact on the world around them”
- Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar
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Another student is Dogyu Lee, a multifaceted storyteller from South Korea with a deep passion for writing and playing the violin. Recognizing the immense potential of media development in the Middle East and the Global South, he decided to join Northwestern Qatar to be at the forefront of media development in the region and gain opportunities to grow his craft and contribute to the field of arts and media on a global scale.
“I lived in Malaysia for three years, and I understand the transformative power of media in shaping narratives, especially about our part of the world,” said Lee, adding that, by Northwestern Qatar, he hopes to use his artistic skills to address pressing social and cultural issues and amplify the voices of the Global South. “I believe that by immersing myself in this dynamic environment, I can make a significant impact amplifying marginalized voices and shedding light on untold stories in our region.”
Luka Grondskyte, an international student from Lithuania, is an aspiring researcher who chose to study at Northwestern Qatar to hone her research skills and grow as a well-rounded researcher. With a global perspective and a passion for understanding the dynamics of societal transformations, she will focus on examining nationalism and cultural identities in the post-Soviet era during her undergraduate career.
“Growing up in the post-Soviet period, I witnessed firsthand the struggles of my own country and post-Soviet countries in reclaiming their identity and preserving their cultural heritage,” said Grondskyte. “Studying at Northwestern Qatar will not only offer me research and fellowship opportunities that will help me grow as a researcher but also a unique global perspective into the different research topics I’m interested in exploring .”
Dana Ziani, Dogyu Lee, and Luka Grondskyte, like their fellow Class of 2027 peers, bring a diverse range of aspirations and passions and showcase exceptional academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and a variety of talents. As students at Northwestern Qatar, they are part of a diverse community of talented storytellers, critical thinkers, and ethical communicators who are committed to producing knowledge on the Global South.
“I lived in Malaysia for three years, and I understand the transformative power of media in shaping narratives, especially about our part of the world,” said Lee, adding that, by Northwestern Qatar, he hopes to use his artistic skills to address pressing social and cultural issues and amplify the voices of the Global South. “I believe that by immersing myself in this dynamic environment, I can make a significant impact amplifying marginalized voices and shedding light on untold stories in our region.”
Luka Grondskyte, an international student from Lithuania, is an aspiring researcher who chose to study at Northwestern Qatar to hone her research skills and grow as a well-rounded researcher. With a global perspective and a passion for understanding the dynamics of societal transformations, she will focus on examining nationalism and cultural identities in the post-Soviet era during her undergraduate career.
“Growing up in the post-Soviet period, I witnessed firsthand the struggles of my own country and post-Soviet countries in reclaiming their identity and preserving their cultural heritage,” said Grondskyte. “Studying at Northwestern Qatar will not only offer me research and fellowship opportunities that will help me grow as a researcher but also a unique global perspective into the different research topics I’m interested in exploring .”
Dana Ziani, Dogyu Lee, and Luka Grondskyte, like their fellow Class of 2027 peers, bring a diverse range of aspirations and passions and showcase exceptional academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and a variety of talents. As students at Northwestern Qatar, they are part of a diverse community of talented storytellers, critical thinkers, and ethical communicators who are committed to producing knowledge on the Global South.
