Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - VCUQ, Doha - Gallery news: VCUQatar Celebrates 10 Years with Gala Event

VCUQatar Celebrates 10 Years with Gala Event (13.11.2008)

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence

Doha, Qatar- Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar hosted a gala dinner at the Diplomatic Club to celebrate its 10 Years of Excellence in Design Education. The gala guests included the VCUQatar faculty, staff, alumna and very special VIP guests from Qatar and the United States. The gala showcased for the first time to an invitation only audience Alumni Moments videos, a Promotional Video and portions of the 30 minute commemorative PBS documentary produced by VCUTV over the course of the last nine months.

Dean Allyson Vanstone welcomed the audience and introduced the special guests. She was wearing a distinctive one of a kind gown designed by Fashion Design graduate Noor Jassim Al Thani ('05). "We are very proud of the contributions of our graduates. Their success is our success and they are the true pioneers who are leading the way in establishing Qatar as the design center of the Middle East. Tonight we celebrate the achievements of our students, graduates, faculty and staff. It is their contributions and diligence throughout the years that have made VCUQatar synonymous with regional design leadership. I am very proud to be here to represent VCUQatar tonight and to thank all of our supporters and friends for their contributions to a decade of success."

Thomas Rosenthal, VCU Rector, Congratulated the Emir and Her Highness on their vision from 1997 when the concept of Education City was just beginning. "It is with great pride that I represent VCU on this momentous occasion and, on behalf of VCU, I would like to congratulate His Highness, the Emir, and Her Highness on their vision and confidence in taking such a bold - and, now, so obviously brilliant - actions on behalf of Qatari citizens and the world."

US Ambassador to Qatar, Joseph Evan LeBaron congratulated the Emir and Her Highness on the dedication they have shown to the citizen's of Qatar. He stated, "The investments being made by Qatar's leaders and universities in Education City will yield dividends for generations to come. VCUQatar can be proud of the role it is playing brightening the future of the young men and women of this region." He acknowledged the US Congressional Delegation of Congressman Howard McKeon (CA), Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (HI), Congressman Ric Keller (FL), Congressman Silvestre Reyes (TX), Congresswoman Graciela Napolitano (CA) and Congressman Ed Pastor (AZ), lead by Congressman Ruben Hinojosa of Texas as a "demonstration of the importance that the United States Government attaches to the educational partnership between our two peoples, a partnership pioneered by VCU, the first American institution to open a campus in Qatar."

The Qatar Foundation was represented by Dr. Saif Al Hajari, Vice Chairman and Dr. Abdullah Al Thani, Vice President for Education. Three alumna represented the three disciplines of VCUQatar. Dana Ahdab, Graphic Design ('04), Amal Al-Mutawa Fashion Design ('02) and Amal Ameen, Interior Design ('04) spoke about their relationship with VCUQatar and the experiences they have gained since graduation. Dana reminisced about not wanting to go too far from VCUQatar, "when I receive so much care, genuine support and wonderful growth opportunities [from VCUQatar ] why would anyone want to leave." Amal Mutawa spoke about when she heard about ,"QF promoting the Shaqab College of Design Arts, which was a dream of [her] life so she was among the first to register." Amal went on to state that when she is asked the question "Did you study abroad?" she "proudly replies: "No I studied in Qatar at Virginia Commonwealth University"

During the event a special publication for the 10 year anniversary entitled "Leaving a Mark" was revealed and copies were provided to attendees of the event. Student Saher Mari presented the book and spoke about the Publication Design class's role in producing the 10th anniversary publication. She stated, "the aim of this publication is to honor the 10th anniversary of VCUQatar's performance as well as to honor the success and progress the institution has made." Special guests in the audience also received a commemorative keepsake Swarovski crystal Sheilas with the unique VCUQatar building designs.

Mr. Ahmed Al Mazroie Deputy CEO of Qatar Diar spoke about the contribution of Virginia Commonwealth University and the role its graduates are playing in making Qatar a country with its eye on the future. "At Qatari Diar we are privileged to employ a number of highly skilled graduates of VCU as some of our most important design specialists. Their broad skills, solid competencies and international perspectives have enabled the company to establish itself very quickly and to move rapidly from domestic to large-scale international projects."

Dr. Richard Toscan, Virginia Commonwealth University's Vice Provost for International Affairs gave the concluding remarks which were followed by a very special performance by the VCU Jazz Quintet. Students Jon Gibson (saxophone), Karl Morse (guitar), David Ashby (bass) under the leadership of VCU's Director of Jazz Studies, Professor Antonio Garcia entertained the audience during dinner.

About Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar:
Established in the US in 1838 and in Qatar in 1998 Virginia Commonwealth University offers students from all over the world the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic and interior design. A team of highly skilled professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional design field of their choice. VCUQatar regularly organizes and hosts exhibitions, gallery events, world-class conferences and holds an annual fashion show. VCUQatar is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu or call +974 492 7245.

About Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people. The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence Press Release as pdf-File 121 KB

Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence Press Release as pdf-File 145 KB in Arabic language

For more information please visit: www.qf.org.qa

Moamer Qazafi Office: +974 492 7277
Email: MQAZAFI@QATAR.VCU.EDU