Loud applause and cheering shook the walls of the Dubai World Trade Centre's Rashid Hall as students from the American University in Dubai (AUD) celebrated their graduation. Exuberant students sat on stage, facing their family and friends, waiting anxiously to hear their names being called out, inviting them to receive their degrees and take a memorable photograph with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
This year, as part of its 11th commencement ceremony, AUD graduated more than 400 students in business administration, engineering, visual communication, information technology and interior design.
The graduation ceremony, held last week, was also attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Educatio; Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and a number of senior officials.
A moment for reflection
Dressed in elegant black gowns, the students were seated before the audience, unable to hide their happiness. They cheered for their parents, teachers, colleagues and friends, and most importantly, for themselves.
Having come a long way on their educational path, they knew graduation day marked the end to long days of study and a time to contemplate new plans for the future. They were deeply aware that they could not have reached this stage without the sacrifice and support of their parents.
And the parents' role was addressed in all the speeches at the ceremony.
Knowledge rules our future
US Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings spoke in her keynote address about Dubai's growth, the importance of education and democracy and the power of change. "Dubai is truly an amazing city — the 'City of Firsts'. If the future had an address, it might well be here," she said.
Addressing the young graduates, she said: "You are blessed with enormous opportunities. A world of information at your fingertips. An economy that moves as fast as you can think. A society that increasingly rewards efforts and merit, and shuns discrimination and corruption. And an education that gives you the tools to change your circumstances — a wonderful gift, a treasure."
She stressed the importance of education in advancing change and democracy. "America is not here to lecture, but to learn. It took us 80 years to free the slaves, 140 years to give women the right to vote and nearly two centuries before our black citizens had equal rights. And we are still working on it, every day. You cannot be truly free without a good education."
Dr Lance de Masi, AUD president, urged students to defend their unique voices, not to conform and not to dwindle before criticism.
He hailed the education that students receive at AUD and the self-knowledge they discover in their academic journey. "I bring with me a plea and a prayer ... that your education will serve you and the world as intended," he said.
Graduating from AUD
And a good education indeed is what the students said they were thankful for. Many said that they were not only finishing their long educational journey, but that they had also completed it at a reputable institution that had provided them with quality education.
Abrar Al Nasser, UAE national and business graduate, said: "I am so excited, especially because I have graduated from AUD. . . I'm so glad that I received my certificate from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad."
'We promise you success'
On behalf of the graduating class, valedictorian Ali Said Jamal Al Deen thanked Shaikh Mohammad for the generosity and trust he put in students and education. A beneficiary of Shaikh Mohammad's scholarships, Jamal Al Deen said that this opportunity had "pushed him further and higher" and had given him a reason to excel.
On behalf of all his colleagues, Jamal Al Deen expressed gratitude to all parents, "the number one reason for us reaching here" he said. His parents could be seen with tears of pride as they listened to their son's speech.
Jamal Al Deen ended his speech with a promise to excel and achieve in the future. "Four hundred graduates will walk away today but make no mistake, our success stories will come knocking on your doors soon enough. Be forever proud of us like you are proud of us now. On behalf of 2008, I promise you excellence. I promise you achievements. I promise you success," he said.
The beginning, not the end
Another graduate, Khalil Khouri, said: "My feelings are indescribable, I can't believe I have graduated." Khouri's future plans include taking a short break before looking for a job.
The graduates hail from more than 90 countries, but they all had a chance to live and learn in Dubai. Rami Yassine, a Lebanese graduate said: "I can't put what I'm feeling into words. I am truly happy."
Damoun Makarem, an Iranian marketing graduate, said: "I'm starting my life after graduation in Dubai because I love it."
At the end of the ceremony, graduates moved around in their gowns looking cheerful. They congratulated each other and took photos with their families. In their eyes you could see tears of joy and anxiety, for one stage of their life had just ended, and a completely new one has begun.
Page last updated 01 January 2020