Northwestern Provost Erik Luijten to deliver Convocation 2026 address at NU-Q
Returning to Northwestern University in Qatar after attending the University's 2026 Graduation ceremony as provost-elect, Northwestern Provost Erik Luijten will deliver the keynote address at Convocation 2026, officially welcoming the Class of 2030 to the Northwestern community in his inaugural visit to the Qatar campus in his capacity as the University's chief academic officer.
The annual Convocation marks the official start of the academic year, bringing together students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, and distinguished guests to welcome the University's newest cohort as they begin their Northwestern journey.
As provost, Luijten leads Northwestern's academic enterprise, working closely with the University's schools, faculty, and leadership to advance excellence in teaching, research, and student success. He assumed the role in July 2026 after serving in a series of academic leadership positions at Northwestern. A distinguished scholar in materials science and engineering, he has long championed interdisciplinary collaboration and the pursuit of innovative research across the sciences, humanities, and the arts.
"It is especially meaningful to welcome Provost Erik Luijten back to Northwestern Qatar as he begins his tenure as the University's chief academic officer," said dean and CEO Marwan M. Kraidy. "His presence at both Graduation and Convocation reflects the close connection between our Qatar campus and the broader Northwestern University community. As our newest students begin their academic journey, they will hear directly from the University's academic leader about the values of excellence, intellectual curiosity, and global engagement that define a Northwestern education."
“It is especially meaningful to welcome Provost Erik Luijten back to Northwestern Qatar as he begins his tenure as the University's chief academic officer. His presence at both Graduation and Convocation reflects the close connection between our Qatar campus and the broader Northwestern University community.”
"I am honored to return to Northwestern University in Qatar and welcome the Class of 2030," said Luijten. "Having celebrated the achievements of this year's graduates just a few months ago, it is especially meaningful to now greet the University's newest students as they begin their own Northwestern journey. A Northwestern education is about more than acquiring knowledge—it is about cultivating curiosity, embracing new perspectives, and learning from one another across cultures and disciplines. I look forward to meeting our newest students and encouraging them to make the most of every opportunity during their time at NU-Q."
The Class of 2030 brings together almost 170 incoming first-year and transfer students, reflecting Northwestern University in Qatar's continued commitment to academic excellence and global engagement. Nearly two-thirds of the incoming class are women, while more than one-quarter are international students. Representing more than 25 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, the cohort includes students from Qatar alongside those from Bangladesh, China, Cote D'Ivoire, Ethiopia, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Turkmenistan, creating a vibrant learning community enriched by diverse perspectives and experiences.
Luijten has been a member of the Northwestern faculty since 2009. Prior to becoming provost, Luijten was the Associate Dean for Research and Doctoral Education in the McCormick School of Engineering, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at McCormick, chair of Materials Science and Engineering, and academic director of the Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Physical Society and has received numerous honors for both his research and teaching.
Together, Convocation and Graduation represent the bookends of the undergraduate experience—from welcoming students into the Northwestern community to celebrating their achievements as graduates. Both campuses share a commitment to preparing graduates to lead, innovate, and make meaningful contributions around the world.
Convocation 2026 will take place on 20 August at Northwestern University in Qatar.
