Two alums recognized for outstanding impact at inaugural QF Alumni Awards
October 20, 2025
Northwestern Qatar alums Mariam Al Dhubhani ’19 and Oweis Al Salahi ’24 were recognized with the inaugural Qatar Foundation (QF) Alumni Awards for their outstanding contributions to society and dedication to social responsibility and civic engagement at the 2025 QF Alumni Forum.
“It’s always inspiring to see our alumni making a difference in the world, said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “Mariam and Oweis embody the creativity, commitment, and global perspective that define the Northwestern Qatar community, and we are so proud to see the impact they are making in their fields.”
The QF Alumni Awards celebrate Education City graduates who demonstrate exceptional impact, leadership, and community commitment across four categories: Legacy, Rising Star, Ambassador, and Mentorship. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and announced at the annual forum, where they are presented with their awards by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation.
“It’s always inspiring to see our alumni making a difference in the world, said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “Mariam and Oweis embody the creativity, commitment, and global perspective that define the Northwestern Qatar community, and we are so proud to see the impact they are making in their fields.”
The QF Alumni Awards celebrate Education City graduates who demonstrate exceptional impact, leadership, and community commitment across four categories: Legacy, Rising Star, Ambassador, and Mentorship. Award recipients are nominated by their peers and announced at the annual forum, where they are presented with their awards by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation.
“It’s always inspiring to see our alumni making a difference in the world. Mariam and Oweis embody the creativity, commitment, and global perspective that define the Northwestern Qatar community, and we are so proud to see the impact they are making in their fields”
- Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar
Al Dhubhani received the Rising Star Award, which honors alumni who have graduated within the past five years and are already making significant contributions in their respective fields. Based in the MENA region, she began her professional journey during the 2011 Arab uprisings, co-founding her first production company to tell untold stories from Yemen. A two-time TEDx speaker, she is among the first filmmakers to use virtual reality to document stories from her home country.
An award-winning journalist, filmmaker, curator, and educator, Al Dhubhani’s work challenges stereotypes of the Arab world in mainstream media and highlights alternative narratives of resilience and shared humanity. Her films have earned numerous accolades, including Most Promising Filmmaker at the 2019 Toronto Arab Film Festival for her film “In The Middle.” She currently serves as a consultant for a Hollywood production on Yemen and continues to mentor emerging filmmakers in conflict-affected regions, including Yemen and Libya.
Al Salahi, recipient of the Ambassador Award, was recognized for his international impact and advocacy for youth empowerment and sustainable development. At just 16 years old, he became the youngest speaker at the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack commemoration in Geneva, where he also served on the organizing committee.
He later founded the SDGeneration Network, recognized as the first UN Good Practices Initiative in the Middle East focused on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During his time at Northwestern Qatar, Al Salahi deepened his engagement as a youth advocate with the Education Above All Foundation and as a youth advisor to the Minister of Municipality and Environment in Qatar.
Al Dhubhani and Al Salahi are among many Northwestern Qatar alumni who continue to make meaningful contributions across industries and communities around the world. For more alumni stories, click here.
An award-winning journalist, filmmaker, curator, and educator, Al Dhubhani’s work challenges stereotypes of the Arab world in mainstream media and highlights alternative narratives of resilience and shared humanity. Her films have earned numerous accolades, including Most Promising Filmmaker at the 2019 Toronto Arab Film Festival for her film “In The Middle.” She currently serves as a consultant for a Hollywood production on Yemen and continues to mentor emerging filmmakers in conflict-affected regions, including Yemen and Libya.
Al Salahi, recipient of the Ambassador Award, was recognized for his international impact and advocacy for youth empowerment and sustainable development. At just 16 years old, he became the youngest speaker at the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack commemoration in Geneva, where he also served on the organizing committee.
He later founded the SDGeneration Network, recognized as the first UN Good Practices Initiative in the Middle East focused on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During his time at Northwestern Qatar, Al Salahi deepened his engagement as a youth advocate with the Education Above All Foundation and as a youth advisor to the Minister of Municipality and Environment in Qatar.
Al Dhubhani and Al Salahi are among many Northwestern Qatar alumni who continue to make meaningful contributions across industries and communities around the world. For more alumni stories, click here.
