The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) celebrated today, Saturday, 17 May 2025, the graduation of its 9th Cohort of MA students, under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Shk. Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The ceremony was also attended by several distinguished ministers and dignitaries, in addition to the Chairman of the DI Board of Trustees, Dr. Azmi Bishara, and a number of the esteemed Board members. The ceremony was led by the Doha Institute President and the deans, with the participation of the faculty, the graduates, their families and friends, and guests.
The ceremony, held at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), witnessed the graduation of 220 students, including 150 students from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities and 70 students from the School of Administration, Economics and Public Policy. The graduates represent 28 countries, supported by Qatar Fund for Development as part of Qatar’s international scholarship program. The Qatari Graduates this year are 71 graduates of different majors.
The event opened with the national anthem and verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcoming speech by Dr Abdelwahab El-Affendi, President of the DI, who reflected on the significance of this occasion saying:” This year’s graduation coincides with a significant milestone for the DI and Qatar: the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the institute. As such, this cohort’s graduation carries a special meaning! It is a celebration within a celebration. Congratulations to this year’s graduates, and congratulations to the DI community, and to the leadership and its people of Qatar on this academic institution and this achievement that adds to the successive Qatari achievements in the fields of education, knowledge production, development, and service to humanity, achievements that Qatar proudly shares with the world. “
Dr. El-Affendi added: “The graduates of this cohort, like those before them and the ones after, are a source of pride. Not just for their academic excellence, ethics and moralities, but because they will directly contribute to the development efforts to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030 and benefit the world and humanity. The DI proudly contributes to many fields that have become national hallmarks like advancing knowledge, supporting health and well-being, leading development and innovation, pursuing peace-making and conflict resolution, pioneering humanitarian work, and others. “
The ceremony, co-hosted by Mohamed Al-Khayareen, Master’s Student from the Politics and International Relations Program, and Aya Talhameh, master’s Student from the Human Rights Program, featured a video presenting the journey and achievements of the Doha Institute.
In his keynote speech, HE Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali bin Saud Al Thani, Vice-Chair of the DI Board of Trustees, said:
“This cohort of the DI students embodies the promise of a generation empowered with knowledge and equipped with the tools of critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. In today’s changing world, they carry a legacy of academic excellence and social responsibility. An enduring legacy rooted in Qatar’s firm commitment to education and human development.”
Representing their colleagues, Nawaf Al Dosari, Master of Public Administration, and Raghad Afgani, Master of Conflict Management and Humanitarian Action, shared their reflections and gratitude on behalf of their fellow students.
Nawaf Al Dosari said,: “ We stand today at the threshold of a new chapter in our lives. We close one door of the journey and open another. It is a stage where knowledge becomes a responsibility and learning becomes an impact. “He emphasized how this academic journey has shaped a deeper awareness and a better understanding of knowledge.
Raghad Afghani said: “Today, we find ourselves at a defining moment in our lives, looking back on a journey of hard work and perseverance, and looking ahead to the responsibility knowledge places on our shoulders. This was not merely an academic experience, it was a transformative journey that expanded our horizons and strengthened our understanding of knowledge not as an end but as a tool for change. “Raghad added:” The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies was not an educational institution for us, but an intellectual laboratory, a beacon for thought, and a space where critical inquiry met passion, and experience met wisdom.”
Before the conclusion of the ceremony, a video highlighting the success stories of the graduating cohort was presented. Following which, HE the Prime Minister, along with Dr. Azmi Bishara, Dr. Abdelwahab El-Affendi, and the deans, awarded degrees to the graduates. Group photos were taken to commemorate the occasion with the guest of honor and patron of the event.
It is worth noting that since its establishment, the Doha Institute has celebrated the graduation of eight cohorts, totaling 1419 graduates. The DI offers 19 internationally accredited master’s programs across the DI's two schools. It also offers eight doctoral programs in Development Economics, Public Administration, Politics and International Relations, Arabic Linguistics and Lexicography, History, Sociology, Media Studies, and Critical Literature.
