Abu Dhabi University celebrates graduation
- 13 Apr 2019
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) celebrated the 13th commencement ceremony for the Spring Class of 2019, with a total of 1,762 graduates. The graduates included 763 undergraduate students, 999 postgraduate students, and students from the military programme. During the commencement ceremony, the university honoured 792 outstanding students who graduated with distinction.
The commencement ceremonies were attended by Professor Waqar Ahmad, Chancellor of ADU, Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Relations at ADU, deans of colleges, faculty, administration staff, and parents.
Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of ADU’s Board of Directors, expressed his pride in celebrating another graduating class of students who enjoyed a supportive and innovative environment that helped them thrive both personally and academically. Al Dhaheri noted that the success of its students is a reflection on the university’s strategy that combines the local culture with international education and best practices.
During the ceremony, Professor Waqar addressed the graduates saying, “We are thankful for the remarkable development we get to witness under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the leadership of our Chairman of the Board, Dr Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, and the University’s senior management, as well as the support and competence of our academic faculty and administration staff.”
Professor Waqar added, “Abu Dhabi University takes great pride in the accomplishments of its students – after all, their successes are ultimately ours as well. With our students at the heart of all that we do, and a keen eye on the needs of the economy and public services, Abu Dhabi University focuses all its energy on graduating exemplary professionals and innovators.”
Students said in their valedictorian speech, “We are proud to be the graduating Class of Spring 2019, but most importantly we are proud that our graduation is taking place during the Year of Tolerance, one of the UAE’s most enduring values that highlights the legacy of our late founding father, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul.”
They added, “We would like to thank the faculty and administration staff here at ADU. We extend a special thanks to all our parents whose guidance and support have been the driving force throughout our journey to success.”
During the commencement ceremony, a short film was screened showcasing the development of ADU. Graduates, the Chancellor, deans, and faculty came together for a group photo to mark the closing of the graduation ceremony.
Abu Dhabi University is a private, multi-campus university committed to meeting the education, skills and knowledge needs in the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries through qualifications and standards that are respected across the world.
Although young, the university is recognised as a world-class institution committed to excellence in teaching, student experience, research and corporate education. It is regularly featured in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings as among the best higher education institutions in the region. It holds prestigious international accreditations for the institution as a whole, for particular fields of provision and for specific programmes. It is the first private higher education institution in the UAE and the GCC region to earn international accreditation from the Californian Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ADU’s College of Business holds international accreditations from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the prestigious EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). Only 1% of business schools worldwide have this double accreditation. In addition, its College of Engineering has earned accreditation from the world-renowned Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). It houses the only architecture programme to hold accreditation by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
According to the QS World Universities Rankings, ADU ranks in the top 701-750 universities worldwide, the top 150 leading institutions under 50 years, the top 27 universities in the Arab World, and the top 6 in the UAE.