Making it real in Qatar
Greetings from Doha, Qatar, where I am participating in commencement exercises at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar.
It’s hard to believe that this is our 13th graduating class in Qatar. I am so proud of our students here and the wonderful legacy they are helping to create — a legacy that is both historic and visionary.
VCU became the first university in Education City, an initiative of the Qatar Foundation. Since 1998, we have been joined by Cornell, Texas A&M, Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, Northwestern, HEC Paris, University College London and the Qatar Institute of Faculty Studies. VCUQatar was also the first school of the arts in the Middle East, offering bachelor’s degrees in graphic design, interior design, fashion design, and painting and printmaking, and a master of fine arts degree in design studies.
Just like Richmond, VCU has helped Doha, Qatar — a bustling capital city — become a place where world-class educational opportunities transform the city and its people. Like Richmond, it is a place of infinite possibility. And our graduates here are more than the next generation of leaders in this city — they are the new embodiment of that boldest idea that human potential is still the greatest resource in our world.
They are also continuing a great legacy at VCU. Extraordinary students come to us from around the world, and use their gifts and talents to change the world. No matter what our students study, and no matter where they study, we always ask that they share their gifts with their fellow human beings. I am proud that is happening in Richmond and in Doha.
As I return to Richmond this week, I take with me our VCUQatar students’ passion, creativity and commitment to sharing their gifts with a world that is desperate for innovation — including innovation through visual imagery.
I will bring back from one capital city to another, from one part of VCU to another, the never-ending assurance that our graduates — no matter where they live, or where they go — are going to use their talents and gifts to change the world.
And from Doha to Richmond, it will be beautiful.
Photos courtesy of VCU Qatar.
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