Abu Dhabi: The 10th batch of graduates from Abu Dhabi University received their academic honours at a ceremony last week, with over 1,000 students earning their university degrees.
Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Regents, the ceremony was inaugurated by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, who delivered a speech lauding the achievements of the graduating students.
“This graduation ceremony is always a paramount event, in which we express our sincere congratulations to the graduates for their success in obtaining their university degrees as we look forward to their achievements and contributions which, god willing, will reinforce Abu Dhabi University’s good reputation and outstanding stature as an advanced university that fosters innovation and creativity and contributes to the development of education in the UAE, the region and worldwide,” he said.
Shaikh Nahyan also praised the growth of Abu Dhabi University since its founding, “Today, Abu Dhabi University stands tall and firm thanks to its achievements, since its inception, and thanks to all the components of excellence, growth and elevation available at its disposal. ADU today offers 23 undergraduate programmes and 15 postgraduate programs graduating until now over 9,000 students. This tenth class includes new specialisations such as the first class of the Persian Language programme as well as graduates sponsored by Etihad Airways graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation,” he added.
Shaikh Nahyan also reiterated the importance of investing in education, praising the vision of the UAE’s leadership, “Today, we express our sincere gratitude, appreciation and respect to the leader of the march of progress and development, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We are tremendously proud of His Highness’s strong support, which is a motivation for all of us to ensure that ADU remains among the prestigious universities in the region and worldwide,” he said.
“I would like also to extend my great thanks and sincere appreciation to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. We are extremely proud of His Highness’s efforts and his generous, fruitful initiatives towards the development of all aspects of life in the UAE as well as his keenness to elevate education and take advantage of the world’s best knowledge and experiences,” Shaikh Nahyan added.
Amnah Al Nammi, valedictorian of the graduating class, also thanked the country’s leaders for providing young Emiratis with all the tools and access to pursue their higher education, “On behalf of all the graduates, I would like extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our beloved nation’s wise leadership for their directives and unlimited support of the massive development witnessed in our country in various fields. Their support of higher education in the UAE and pioneering effort and vision has made higher education in the UAE a regional and international model.”
Among those attending the ceremony were Shaikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Saeed Eid Al Gafli, Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs, Nasser Ahmad Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Energy Authority, Mohammad Salem Al Daheri, Abu Dhabi Education Council’s Executive Director of School Operations, and Hadi Bin Nasser Mansour Al Hajri, Ambassador of Qatar to the UAE, among other high-ranking dignitaries.
Abu Dhabi University has been ranked among the top 50 universities in the Middle East by QS University Rankings, a professional organisation that rates universities across the world.
