SUHAR: Sohar University celebrated the graduation of the second group of its 17th batch on Thursday evening at the amphitheatre on the campus under the patronage of Ahmed bin Abdullah al Shuhi, Minister of Regional Municipalities and water Resources. The ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries and representatives of government and private institutions in addition to parents.
This group included 1,018 graduates — 379 graduates from the Faculty of Engineering, 269 from the Faculty of Language Studies, 370 from the Faculty of Education and Arts with different academic degrees: Master’s, Bachelor’s, Advanced Diploma and Diploma.
The ceremony began with the National Anthem, followed by recitation from the Holy Quran. Professor Barry Winn, Vice-Chancellor of Sohar University, delivered a speech in which he congratulated the graduates and praised the development of Suhar as a major centre for industry and trade. He also referred to the role of universities as the main engine of economic and social development in the modern world today.
He said: “His Majesty Sultan Qaboos recognised the importance of education for the long-term development of Oman. During the past 20 years, the university has risen from the ground through the vision and commitment of the governors and directors of the institution. We have one of the finest campuses in Oman with truly world class facilities and we will continue to invest to deliver the best possible experience for students. The breadth of academic programmes has expanded with over 7,000 students currently registered to study at the university. We also benefit from having outstanding and loyal staff from approximately 30 countries while exceeding national targets for Omanisation.”
On behalf of his fellow graduates, Ali bin Mohammed al Ajmi, a graduate in Chemical Engineering and the topper in his batch, delivered a speech to the graduates, in which he said:
“It is a great pleasure for us to reach this stage of our academic life, the moments of coronation and reaping the fruits of many years of hard work and perseverance. On this great and delightful day, we extend our thanks and gratitude to Sohar University, without which we would not have been involved in the fair competition, and we could not have lived the joy of this achievement. Our sincere thanks to our university, and all its staff, the academic, the administrative and the service team.
“And thanks are extended to every father and mother who spent nights sleeplessly in the follow-up of their children to support them and take their hands to this day of coronation. May God reward all graduates with success.”
The patron of the ceremony honoured the distinguished graduates who received the highest scores in the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various programmes.
The minister distributed the certificates to the second group of the 17th batch of graduates from the faculties of Education and Arts, Engineering and Language Studies.
A student, Nidal bint Saif, from the Faculty of Language Studies, recited a poem entitled “Wedding of Science and Thought”. Jamal al Ajili presented a souvenir to the patron of the ceremony.
It is noteworthy that the total number of the 17th batch of graduates was 1,523 from six faculties, being graduated in two days.
The graduate Mahfozah al Maqbaliyah expressed her joy, saying: “It is a wonderful feeling to taste the fruit of my efforts, an attainment which I have aspired for and endeavoured to achieve for long. I dedicate this success to all people who supported me during my studies: my parents and family who always surrounded me with sincere prayers, my teachers who spared no effort to help me, and my friends and all those who wished me this feeling.”
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