AU held a graduation ceremony for its last batch of AU graduates for the Academic Year 2020/2021 from its various Bachelors and Diploma programs. The event was held at The Arena that also included a concert by the Kuwaiti singer Mutref Al-Mutref for graduates, current AU students, alumni, faculty and staff in order to celebrate the launch of the Australian University.
The ceremony began with a speech by Dr. Saad Al-Omari, Chairman of AU’s Board of Trustees, highlighting his pride in the graduands achievements, Dr. Al-Omari said: “We are here celebrating a new generation of our graduands who have persevered and triumphed over a historic challenge and succeeded. We are proud to introduce our graduands to the labor market equipped with the necessary professional and technical skills.”
Dr. Al-Omari also stated that the ceremony marks the beginning of a new journey for graduates as they embark on their next successful endeavor and contribute to building Kuwait’s vision, adding “We are certain of their ability to handle this next challenge with the required competence and confidence.”
He further mentioned that AU designed its programs of study to meet international standards and elevate its administrative operations to keep pace with worldwide development and cover the educational needs that resulted from the Pandemic.
Subsequently, Prof. Isam Zabalawi, president of AU, delivered a speech where he pointed out that this group of graduands has faced immense challenges and difficulties resulting from the Pandemic, noting that “Through it all, graduands have demonstrated incredible determination, confidence, and resilience. Today, they follow in the footsteps of our alumni who are now working all over the country in various private and public institutions building Kuwait’s vision and future.”
He stated that all of AU has worked hard to expand its collaboration network locally and internationally, in particular with our strategic partner CQUniversity in Australia, where we exchange knowledge and share best quality assurance practices all while preserving the University’s local identity.
“AU is so proud of graduands for acquiring the skills, knowledge, and competencies that will distinguish you and will enable you to work successfully in an environment driven by change and uncertainty. Today marks the end of a chapter but the beginning of an exciting journey filled with new experiences. I urge you to continue on your path of success, excellence, and distinction as I have every confidence that you have what it takes to succeed and achieve your goals,” Prof. Zabalawi added.
For his part, His Excellency Mr. Jonathan Gilbert, Australian Ambassador to Kuwait, congratulated the graduates, saying: “Class of 2021, the future is bright. Today is not only an important day in your academic journey and a significant moment for your personal life and your family. Let this day be the foundation of many more accomplishments and milestones to celebrate and a way to help Kuwait to continue to prosper.”
H.E. Mr. Gilbert also praised AU’s role and hard work in being recognized as a university. “Tonight, we also celebrate the long-held dream of the founders of the Australian College of Kuwait to become a fully-fledged university. I cannot say how pleased that this ambition has now been realized via the Amiri Decree issued earlier this year formally establishing the Australian University. It has taken many years of hard work by Dr. Al Omari, Professor Zabalawi, the Board of Trustees, senior management, faculty, and staff to achieve this goal,” he added.
Following the speech by H.E. Mr. Gilbert, speeches were given by graduate representatives of the Bachelors and Diploma programs. The Bachelors representative, Ms. Salma Alyazidi, said during her speech that graduates have harvested their hard work and efforts and accomplished one of the main milestones of their lives and for that, they should be immensely proud and eternally grateful to all those who helped along the way.
“The Australian College of Kuwait opened all doors of opportunity for us. It was more than just studies. It taught us patience, perseverance, independence, and commitment. It is the place where I shaped my personality and built on my experience. The hope of the future is education, so let’s honor what we have learned and make the positive changes the world needs,” she added.
In her turn, the Diploma representative, Ms. Al-Anoud Budastoor, started her speech quoting a Tunisian poet saying: “Whoever fears climbing mountains, will live forever at the bottom. Dear fellow graduates, climb all the mountains you come across in your life and have faith that you will succeed in the end.”
“The unknown was exciting but I should admit that there were challenges and I struggled at times. Not everything in life comes easy and we will not always succeed immediately, but we have to persevere and face our struggles.”
At the conclusion of the speeches, the graduands called individually on stage to receive their diplomas marking the beginning of their journey after graduation armed, with the necessary skills and abilities for a bright future in their chosen careers.
