Use knowledge not just to inform but also to inspire, Sultan Bin Ahmed tells UoS graduates in Barcelona

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, attended, on Friday, at the University of Barcelona, the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of students enrolled in the Master of Science in Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation programme, the first of its kind offered by the University of Sharjah’s College of Communication in cooperation with the University of Barcelona, and supported strategically by Sharjah Media City (Shams).

In his address during the graduation ceremony, His Highness expressed his delight at celebrating the achievements of the graduates of the University of Sharjah in Barcelona, commending the strong partnership between two distinguished universities united by a shared commitment to knowledge, excellence, and the promotion of global understanding. He affirmed that graduation marks the beginning of a new journey for the graduates.

Timeless truth

The President of the University of Sharjah noted that those who live in a coastal city understand a timeless truth: a ship may be safest when anchored in harbour, but that is not what it was built for. Ships are built to sail beyond the horizon, to embrace the unknown, to explore new worlds, and to return enriched by their journey. He indicated that today the graduates are leaving the harbour and facing a vast sea of opportunities, challenges, discoveries, and achievements. While no one can predict every current they may encounter, there is confidence that they possess the knowledge, resilience, and determination required to navigate the most challenging seas.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed during his tour of the University of Barcelona.

His Highness added: “This image resonates deeply with us in the United Arab Emirates. For generations, Emiratis built ports along our coastline. They were built because our ancestors understood that those who venture beyond familiar shores gain access to the wonders of the world. They recognised that prosperity comes not from standing still, but from engaging with the wider world — learning from it, contributing to it, and growing through it.”

He further explained that the Master of Science in Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation programme, linking Sharjah and Barcelona, represents a contemporary expression of the same belief held by forefathers: a journey from port to port, and from sea to sea. It is a programme connecting two great institutions, cultures, and traditions of excellence, providing students with the opportunity to benefit from the intellectual and cultural wealth of both countries, enabling them not only to succeed in their professional careers, but also to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Addressing the graduates, His Highness said: “And you, our graduates, have chosen a discipline that is itself a kind of port. The Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation programme is where ideas take shape, and where information is examined, interpreted, and given meaning before being sent back out into the world. Yet in our time, the significance of that role has never been greater. The digital age has transformed not only the speed and scale at which information travels, but also the consequences of its journey. So, the stories you tell, the platforms you innovate, and the narratives you shape will reach audiences across continents within moments. They will be received, questioned, interpreted, and shared by a world more connected than at any other point in human history. This is an extraordinary power. And like the sea itself, it is a power that demands humility, integrity, and discernment.”

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed poses with a graduate.

The President of the University of Sharjah noted that what distinguishes the programme in Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation is not only the partnership between two distinguished universities and their dedicated academic staff, but also the presence of a third pillar – Sharjah Media City (Shams) – in a unique collaboration between academia, industry, and the creative economy. This provides graduates with opportunities to overcome real-world challenges, engage with diverse perspectives, and develop practical, experience-based skills.

Major milestone

Miquel Soriano, Director General of Universities in the Government of Catalonia, delivered a speech in which he noted that the joint master’s programme represents an important milestone as it is the first joint degree between a Spanish university and the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. He affirmed that this achievement demonstrates what higher education can accomplish when institutions collaborate across borders, cultures, and disciplines to prepare future generations for an interconnected and cooperative world.

Dr Soriano Abadal, Vice-Rector of the University of Barcelona, gave a speech in which he provided an overview of the University of Barcelona, founded in 1450, noting that it has, throughout its long history, faced numerous challenges before becoming today one of the leading universities in Europe and the world, according to major international university rankings.

On behalf of the programme graduates, graduate Mahra Al Amiri delivered a speech expressing her happiness at representing her fellow graduates in this exceptional academic journey in the joint Master of Science in Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation programme between the University of Sharjah and the University of Barcelona, noting that the occasion is not merely the awarding of a degree, but the culmination of two years of dedication, perseverance, continuous learning, and a journey filled with experiences, challenges, and opportunities.

Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed being greeted on his arrival at the university.

For his part, Dr Joan G. Burguera, Dean of the Faculty of Philology and Communication at the University of Barcelona, also delivered a speech in which he welcomed His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and the Sharjah delegation, affirming that the graduation ceremony is not merely an academic celebration, but a living embodiment of the success of the international strategic partnership between the University of Sharjah and the University of Barcelona.

His Highness the President of the University of Sharjah presented certificates to the 24 graduates, congratulating them on their achievement and wishing them success in their future careers.

He toured the University of Barcelona campus, reviewing its key facilities and academic features. He visited the main graduation hall used for large faculty ceremonies, and the University of Barcelona library.

The ceremony was attended alongside His Highness the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah by Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Charity International; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; Rashid Abdullah Al Obad, Director General of Sharjah Media City (Shams); Professor Dr Issam Al-Din Ibrahim Ajami, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah; and a number of senior officials from both universities and parents of graduates.