A senior leadership delegation from Northwestern University wrapped up a week-long visit to Qatar, where they participated in the Class of 2025 graduation ceremony and engaged with key stakeholders and wider community, underscoring Northwestern’s support for the campus and community in Qatar.
“It was a privilege to welcome Northwestern’s senior leadership to Qatar and to share with them our research, strategic initiatives and curriculum guided by our NU-Q values,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “Northwestern Qatar is not just an extension of the University—it is an integral part of Northwestern’s global academic enterprise. Belonging is a strategic priority embraced across the University, and this visit reaffirms that commitment and strengthens the bonds that connect us as one Northwestern community.”
The delegation included Peter J. Barris, chair of Northwestern’s Board of Trustees, accompanied by several members of the Board; and Provost Kathleen Hagerty and other members of University senior leadership. Their visit coincided with the University’s 14th graduation ceremony, during which both Barris and Hagerty delivered remarks to the graduating class, their families, and members of the university community.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, the delegation met with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and institutional stakeholders throughout their visit and were offered firsthand look into the ongoing academic and operational developments on campus. Their itinerary also included a showcase on faculty research and scholarship, as well as a student-led tour of campus facilities, including the newsroom, classrooms, and the Media Majlis Museum.
“It was a privilege to welcome Northwestern’s senior leadership to Qatar and to share with them our research, strategic initiatives and curriculum guided by our NU-Q values. Northwestern Qatar is not just an extension of the University—it is an integral part of Northwestern’s global academic enterprise. Integration is a strategic priority embraced across the University, and this visit reaffirms that commitment and strengthens the bonds that connect us as one Northwestern community.”
Delivering the opening remarks at the 2025 graduation ceremony, Barris said, “It is a pleasure to be here at Northwestern University in Qatar on the most auspicious of occasions.” He went on to address the Class of 2025, saying, “Those of you who are graduating are a special group who have worked hard, learned much, and will now look forward to the many opportunities to use the knowledge gained at Northwestern to enhance the communities around the globe in which you will live and work.”
Members of the leadership team also held meetings with Northwestern Qatar’s Joint Advisory Board, Dean’s Senior Leadership Council, and Dean’s Leadership Council, and met with Qatar Foundation’s senior leadership and other key partners. The delegation also engaged with students and alumni in a dinner hosted by the NU Club of Qatar and regional alumni volunteers, as well as in informal conversations with current students involved in campus life and leadership roles.
In her remarks, Provost Kathleen Hagerty celebrated the Class of 2025 and reminded them that “scholarship is a collective endeavor,” urging graduates to acknowledge those who supported their journey. She also recognized the faculty’s central role in shaping student success, saying, “Faculty are at the center of all that we do here at Northwestern, and none of us would be here today without them.”
