Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Zayed University (ZU) marked another milestone as its three-day graduation ceremony, celebrating the "Future Makers" class of 2024, concluded at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on Thursday.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, a total of 2,086 students graduated as part of the Class of 2024 across the three-day event, which included the 22nd cohort of female students and the 12th cohort of male students.
His Highness attended the final day of the ceremony and witnessed the graduation of 368 students from seven colleges.
As a leading educational institution in the UAE, ZU has been a major component of the nation’s educational landscape since its establishment in 1998.
Speaking to Aletihad, Prof. Michael Allen, Acting Vice President and Provost of Zayed University, said that the university, bearing the name of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, feels tremendous pride in shaping the future leaders of the country.
“We feel a deep sense of obligation to the country and a profound sense of gratitude for the trust placed in us at Zayed University by the young people of this country," he said.
"For those of us who work at universities, this is the culmination of everything we do. We live to see our students complete their education and walk proudly across the stage with their new degrees. As educators, this is the happiest day of our lives," Prof. Allen added.
Prof. Omar Alfandi, the Dean of the College of Technological Innovation at ZU, expressed pride in this graduating cohort, especially since they started the class during the COVID pandemic.
Prof. Alfandi expressed pride in the university's success, indicating that one student's success is the success of the university as a whole.
Shaima Almarzooqi, a psychology major graduate and a student of determination, told Aletihad: "I am proud of myself. It was a great and rewarding journey, thanks to all my professors who made my academic journey easier and taught me a lot."
One of the graduates, Afra Al Mheiri, from the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, expressed her excitement for the occasion.
"I am feeling extremely grateful and proud to achieve this milestone. Now I am ready to face new challenges, continue learning, and positively impact the world," she said.
Another graduate, Abdulraheem Almarzooqi, who majored in accounting, said: "I am very proud to have graduated from Zayed University. As you graduate from Zayed University, they will provide you with job opportunities and submit your CVs to all the most distinguished places in the country."
Shamma Al Beshr, an international relations graduate, thanked the UAE's wise leadership for supporting her education and her family.
"Today, we are filled with an indescribable feeling of pride and joy. I congratulate my fellow graduates and we sincerely pray for success in our endeavours to serve our nation," Al Beshr said.
