You made it! Now is the time to honor this achievement and we are all excited to see you in the Commencement Ceremony. The following information will help you make this important celebration more meaningful and unforgettable.
Sheikha Reem Al-Thani Deputy CEO, AL RIWAQ, Public Art, and Rubaiya Qatar – Qatar Museums
Sheikha Reem Al-Thani holds a pivotal position in the advancement of museums and the cultivation of cultural experiences across the region, with a particular emphasis on exhibitions, public art, and contemporary art. In her capacity as Deputy CEO of AL RIWAQ, Public Art, and Rubaiya Qatar at Qatar Museums (QM), she is responsible for overseeing AL RIWAQ—Qatar’s leading venue for arts and architecture exhibitions—as well as the Rubaiya Qatar quadrennial, which fosters contemporary art initiatives. Through her leadership, collaborative engagement among museums and galleries has been strengthened, extending their impact both regionally and internationally. Her innovative work in public art and contemporary programming has elevated the regional cultural profile, established creative partnerships, and facilitated the presentation of major exhibitions and artistic events to diverse audiences.
With over fifteen years of service at QM, Sheikha Reem has made significant contributions to exhibition design and strategy, enhanced organizational effectiveness, and expanded public art projects through global collaborations with artists and institutions. Under her direction, Qatar has hosted and developed more than one hundred prominent exhibitions, including German Design, Forever Valentino, Dior Designer of Dreams, Jeff Koons: Lost in America, Kaws: He Eats Alone, and IM Pei: Life is Architecture.
In addition to her responsibilities at QM, Sheikha Reem is an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, where she instructs courses in exhibition design. Annually, she mentors students through the process of planning and executing their final exhibitions, bridging academic theory and practical experience.
Her professional influence extends to service on advisory boards and juries such as IE School of Architecture and Design, Qatar University, The World Around’s Young Climate Prize, and IN-Q Enterprises.
Sheikha Reem is a multidisciplinary designer specializing in human-centered spatial design. She is the first Qatari to earn a Master’s in Adaptive Reuse Interior Architecture from RISD, after completing dual undergraduate degrees in Interior and Fashion Design at VCU Qatar. Her background informs her inventive work in exhibitions and public spaces.
Drawing on her extensive background, Sheikha Reem remains dedicated to advancing inventive practices in the arts, fostering inclusive cultural discourse, and supporting emerging talent within the creative sector. Her commitment to mentorship and education bridges classroom instruction with practical application, empowering future designers and curators. Through strategic leadership and a focus on collaboration, Sheikha Reem Al-Thani continues to play a key role in positioning Qatar as a vital hub for contemporary art and international cultural exchange.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The titles Valedictorian and Salutatorian are bestowed on the students who hold the highest academic ranking among the graduation class. They have respectively earned the highest and second highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) as assessed at the end of the Fall semester prior to the graduation term.
The Valedictorian is invited to deliver the Student Address during the Commencement Ceremony. In the case of two equally qualified students, two Co-Valedictorians are selected.
Khawla Zaki Al-Essa (BFA in Graphic Design) and Sruthi Subash(BFA in Graphic Design) were the Co-Valedictorian of the Class of 2026.
Class Marshals
The Class Marshals are appointed by the Academic Program Department Chairs/Directors in recognition of their services to the academic departments. Class Marshals lead their classmates in the commencement procession and are distinguished by a special sash as part of their regalia.
Class Marshals are announced during the Commencement Fair and will receive their special sash during the official part of the fair.
Class Marshals for the Class of 2026 are:
Alice Mohammed Aslem, MFA in Design
Yasmin Alhaidari, BFA in Graphic Design
Moza Mohammed Al Marri, BFA in Interior Design
Shaymaa Mohammed Al-Khauri, BFA in Painting + Printmaking
Nourhane Tarroun, BA in Art History
Class Champion
The Class Champion is competitively selected by the senior academic leadership from the graduating class of undergraduate students who earned a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 360 or higher at the end of the term prior to graduation. The Dean and the Class Champion lead the graduating class into the Qatar Foundation Convocation Ceremony that is usually held soon after VCUarts Qatar’s Commencement Ceremony.
The Class Champion is announced during the Commencement Fair and will receive a special sash during the official part of the fair.
Class Champion for the Class of 2026 is Syeda Deeba Fatima, BFA in Interior Design.
Commencement Ceremony Invitations
The VCUarts Qatar Commencement Ceremony is a closed event that requires a ticket for entry. Each graduating student will be issued up to six tickets for her/his guests.
Graduands will need to register the number of their required tickets by filling the Graduand Information Form prior to picking them up from the Student Life & Engagement Office in April 2026.
If your parents are members of the royal family or VIPs you need to register in the Commencement Ceremony Attendance Form. Two VIP seats per student can be allocated for students whose parents are members of the royal family or VIPs. Please note that this does not automatically guarantee VIP seats for the Qatar Foundation Convocation Ceremony at Qatar Foundation.
Attending VCUarts Qatar Commencement Ceremony – Important Reminders to family and friends attending the ceremony
Welcome to the VCUarts Qatar Commencement Ceremony!
Commencement is a momentous occasion for the soon-to-be graduates. It marks the pinnacle of their academic journey and the beginning of the next chapter of their lives. VCUarts Qatar celebrates this milestone with formal pomp and circumstance befitting their achievements. To ensure the dignity and solemnity of this occasion, guests attending the ceremony are reminded of the following:
Please refer back often as we are constantly updating this page with additional information during the next few months.
Ceremony DetailsThe
The VCUarts Qatar Commencement Ceremony is held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Al Majlis Hall, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, Doha. The ceremony will last approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Commencement Program
Every guest attending the in-person Commencement Ceremony will have the opportunity to pick up a printed program when they arrive to commemorate this special occasion. Friends and family can check out the program here and even download their own PDF copy free.
Tickets
In-person attendance to the VCUarts Qatar Commencement Ceremony is by invitation only. Tickets are checked at the registration desk, a ‘No Ticket No Entry Policy’ is strictly implemented at the venue.
Attendance
The doors to the ballroom close between 3:45 p.m. and 4:10 p.m. Guests should arrive and be seated by 3:45 p.m. No guest will have access to the ballroom during the Processional. The ballroom will be reopened to guests after the processional.
It is strongly discouraged to bring children under three years old in the ballroom. Children and their caretakers may wait in the reception and/or majlis area during the ceremony.
Photography
VCUarts Qatar official photographers and videographers will be present during the event to capture the moment. Family members and guests may take photos from their seats. However, they will not be allowed to go and stand near the stage to take photos. Personal photographers are not allowed in the venue.
Special Accommodations
The VCUarts Qatar commencement ceremony is an inclusive, accessible event to enable all guests to engage fully. To request special accommodations or inquire about accessibility, Graduands must indicate this in their Graduand Information Form on behalf of their guests.
Special seating for guests with disabilities plus one companion is available in the first two rows of the general audience seating. Depending on availability, guests and their companions will be seated as close as possible to this section.
Translation headsets are available at the reception for guests who wish to listen to the ceremony in Arabic. Guests using the translation headsets must return them to the Reception Desk after the ceremony.
Food and Drinks
Only bottled water is allowed inside the ballroom, no other food or drinks are allowed.
Transportation and Parking
The Al Majlis Hall has a dedicated entrance. Please follow our external wayfinding signage that leads directly to the venue. While valet service is available, you can also self-park in the hotel’s basement parking.
Dress Code
VCUarts Qatar Commencement Ceremony is traditionally a formal event. Proper business casual attire or national clothing are recommended for all guests.
Etiquette
All guests to the VCUarts Qatar Commencement Ceremony are expected to respect fellow attendees who have come to share this momentous occasion with our graduands. Everyone is expected to observe the following general etiquette during the ceremony.
Mobile phones should be turned off or put in silent mode throughout the ceremony.
Guests should remain seated during the Processional and Recessional.
Guests arriving late should wait until the doors reopen and are ushered to the remaining available seats.
Guests should refrain from going in and out of the ballroom during the ceremony.
Balloons are not allowed inside the ballroom. Guests can leave them at the reception desk for collection after the ceremony.
During the conferment of degrees, we ask guests to be considerate of others and remain in their seats to avoid blocking the view of other guests and the ceremony is not disrupted.
Graduation Gifts
As part of their graduation, VCUarts Qatar graduands receive a gift from the University.
