Qatar Foundation held its first convocation ceremony to honour the 2008 graduating class of its landmark project Education City. 

Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned joined the celebration and congratulated the 122 students who will receive their degrees this week.

The ceremony honored students from the inaugural classes of Weill Cornell Medical College, Carnegie Mellon University, and Texas A&M University as well as the seventh graduating class of Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar.

In his address, the Emir stressed on the importance of education and the unique opportunity that Education City offered to the garduates.

He also expressed his appreciation to Sheikha Mozah for her commitment and tireless efforts to make Education City a reality.

"All the thanks and gratitude of all Qataris go to you, Sheikha Um Jassim, for devoting your time, energy and efforts to elevate our country by implementing the reform of our national education system and raising the standard of our people," he said.  "It is now a reality of which we can all be proud."

Dr Abdullah Al-Thani, vice president of education at Qatar Foundation, reminded students of the foundation's efforts to make their education possible. 

"You have been given an opportunity that might be one of the most important and precious in your life:  knowledge and education at its best, according to the highest quality standards."

Following an Education City video produced especially for the convocation, students from each of the four universities presented items to be included in a time capsule to be opened in 2018.

Sheikha Mozah also placed in the capsule a signed list of all the distinguished leaders and special guests from around the world that attended the ceremony.

Qatar Foundation president Dr Mohamad Fathy Saoud and Dr Al-Thani presided over the distribution of the senior class commemorative rings.

"Our gathering here today to celebrate the graduation of a new generation of students is the realization of our vision," said Sheikha Mozah.

"We are still at the beginning but today is an important step for Education City in that our graduates will now go forth and use their knowledge to help Qatar grow by contributing to our national development."

As part of the convocation celebration, Dr Hatem Al Qaranshawi, dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Qatar Foundation, announced that Sheikha Mozah has designated that the first center established by the faculty will be called the Al Qaradawi Centre for Research in Moderate Thought in honor of Sheikh Yousef Al Qaradawi.
 
The convocation was held at the outdoor ceremonial court at Education City.  Guests at the convocation enjoyed various musical interludes by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Qatar Army Brass Band. 

In addition, the Children's Choir of Qatar Academy and the Qatar Academy Choir performed the Qatar National Anthem and the Education City National Anthem. 

Following the official ceremony, the Emir and Sheikha Mozah attended a dinner in honor of their special guests.

For the graduating students, parents and convocation attendees, there was a reception and then world renowned artist Andrea Bocelli performed in the ceremonial court accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.-TradeArabia News Service