Qatar University (QU) organized the annual reunion event for the academic year 2024, which became a tradition with QU. Dr. Omar Al-Ansari, President of QU, H.E. Dr. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nasser Al-Thani, President of the QU Alumni Association, and several honored guests and senior officials from the university and beyond attended this precious gathering. Along with faculty members, university staff, and the audience of graduates from the past years and their families.
In a signal to the university's global outreach, graduates from QU across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were invited to participate in the events. This approach emphasized the event's identity as a celebration of both local and international QU alumni.
Adding a cultural touch to the event, a theatrical performance operetta titled “Read” graced the stage, which delved into the beginnings of literacy in the region. The stage performance aimed to highlight the importance of reading and writing in shaping intellectual landscapes, resonating with the educational ethos of the university.
The ceremony also honored the distinguished chapter of the year, the College of Education, along with recognizing the outstanding department from the previous reunion, which was QU Health. This year's reunion featured dedicated corners for each college, displaying achievements and future aspirations. This provided graduates with the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni as well as with their professors. The event aimed to create a platform for sharing experiences and fostering a sense of community within each academic discipline.
The event also honored the outstanding graduate, Dr. Aisha Yousef Al-Mannai, Director of the Muhammad Bin Hamad Al-Thani Center for Muslim Contribution to Civilization (CMCC) at the College of Islamic Studies, at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU). Dr. Al-Mannai is a member of the Arab Parliament and the League of Arab States and a former member of the Shura Council, having held positions in various local and international organizations.
In his opening speech, H.E. Dr. Sheikh Faleh Bin Nasser Al-Thani, President of the QU Alumni Association, stated, “In the context of the outstanding work carried out by the Alumni Relations Association at QU, we aim to connect graduates with their alma mater and keep them in constant contact from their various workplaces. It is my pleasure, as we celebrate the Alumni Association event for the academic year 2023-2024, to extend sincere congratulations to all graduates participating in this event. I wish them success in their endeavors and encourage them to maintain a constant connection with their university.”
Dr. Sheikh Al-Thani further emphasized that communication with graduates in their workplaces and linking them to their alma mater is one of the primary objectives of the QU Alumni Association. Over the years, this role has become clearer and more rooted, especially after the transformation of the External Relations Office into the Alumni Relations Association in 2010. The association plays a crucial role in connecting the university with its graduates through year-round activities aimed at leveraging the experiences gained by the graduates in various workplaces, allowing them to benefit from the university and its continuous development in all scientific and research fields.
Dr. Sheikh Al-Thani added, “The role played by the association is crucial in connecting thousands of graduates, encouraging them to think together about the best ways to contribute to the advancement of their country and collaborate in various scientific fields. This role extends beyond scientific and research aspects to emotional aspects, as everyone remembers the university life stage, which is considered one of the richest and most important periods of life.” He affirmed that QU, day by day, proves its ability to engage its graduates in the process of progress and development, leading them towards the aspirations of our wise leadership. He emphasized that each person, through their position, should strive for the progress of our beloved country, Qatar, and its elevated status, expressing gratitude to the university's leadership and its loyal graduates who responded to the call and attended the reunion event.
Mr. Mohammed Al-Muhannadi, Director of Communication and Partnerships at QU, clarified, “The Alumni Association plays a crucial role in connecting the university with its graduates through year-round activities. These activities aim to leverage the experiences of our alumni in various workplaces, enabling them to benefit from the university's continuous development in scientific and research fields.” Mr. Al-Muhannadi expressed gratitude to the organizers of this annual event and congratulated the distinguished graduate honored this year.
Ms. Buthaina Ibrahim Lanaqwi, Manager of Alumni Relations, emphasized the significance of the annual reunion, stating, “The annual alumni reunion is a crucial occasion for the convergence of university generations. It allows graduates to reconnect and reminisce about their academic journey, fostering a sense of belonging to this esteemed institution.”
Ms. Buthaina Lanaqwi invited everyone to actively contribute to elevating the university's status in global rankings and participate effectively in serving their university from their various workplaces.
Mechanical engineering graduate Yazen Al-Areedi from the class of 2023 expressed, “The event exceeded expectations in terms of organization, reception, and diversity of activities.” He praised the theatrical performance presented on the main stage and shared his intense joy upon reuniting with friends he had not seen throughout the past year.
In turn, computer engineering graduate Iman Anas, from the class of 2020, said, “I feel proud that my university cares about gathering its graduates in one place at least once a year, and this brings me great happiness when I meet all my friends and study mates, hearing about their news and new situations. Beyond the practical and academic aspects, the social aspect of this event is extremely important.” She expressed strong gratitude to the organizers of the event and urged that this annual tradition never be discontinued in the coming years.

It is worth noting that this annual gathering is a tradition at QU, aiming to reconnect the graduates with their alma mater. It represents a link between the beautiful past and the bright present, serving as an active connection between graduates and the university. The event showcased exemplary graduates and acts as a bridge of commitment that QU has pledged to extend to its alumni, bringing classmates together after years of separation in a university celebration that reunited them to revive the spirit of pride, brotherhood, and loyalty and reconnected with the university campus.