Northwestern University in Qatar is gearing up to celebrate the graduation of its most diverse class to date, the Class of 2024, at its 13th graduation ceremony on May 6th, 2024, at the Qatar National Convention Center.
With 126 graduates from 31 countries, the Class of 2024 represents the school’s rich diversity and its commitment to excellence. Their undergraduate journey has been marked by scholarly achievements and transformative extracurricular experiences that have shaped them into well-rounded individuals poised to make a meaningful impact on the world stage after graduation.
Ishmael Bonsu is one of many students graduating with distinctive scholarly academic achievements. An international student from Ghana, he was selected for the prestigious 2024 Schwarzman Scholars program, becoming the inaugural NU-Q student awardee. After graduation, he plans to study China’s data collection system and migration policy with the Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Laiba Mubashar and Muhammad Wasay Mir are among 36 students graduating from the Journalism and Strategic Communication Program who applied time to hone their skills. As aspiring journalists, they reported on challenges facing acid attack survivors in Pakistan as part of their 2022 Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship. Similar to their peers, they completed journalistic internships across the globe.
“Despite facing unprecedented challenges, including the global pandemic, these graduates have demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of global education and the enduring legacy of Northwestern Qatar.”
Beyond the classroom, the graduating cohort also actively engaged in community service. Oweis Al Salhi, for example, spearheaded the SDGeneration Network to promote youth involvement towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Other student leaders established businesses, represented their home countries in global forums, and led various strategic initiatives on campus and beyond.
“As the Class of 2024 prepares to embark on the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them the invaluable lessons and experiences gained during their time at NU-Q,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “Despite facing unprecedented challenges, including the global pandemic, these graduates have demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of global education and the enduring legacy of Northwestern Qatar.”
During the ceremony, the graduates will hear from Dean Kraidy, graduation speaker Hala Kazim, an award-winning counselor, and student speaker Haya Al Kuwari. They will become part of Northwestern’s global network of more than 250,000 alums.
