VCUarts Qatar Celebrates Class of 2025 at Annual Commencement Ceremony

Seventy-two students from undergraduate and graduate programs, including Art History, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting + Printmaking, and the MFA in Design, were set to graduate this year. The event gathered proud family members, friends, faculty, and distinguished guests to honor the achievements of the graduating class.

The ceremony featured keynote speaker Peter Gould, a globally recognized designer and entrepreneur renowned for pioneering Heart-Centered Design—a creative philosophy that integrates spiritual purpose with human-centered design practices. Over the course of his two-decade career, Gould has inspired communities worldwide through his commitment to design, empathy, and innovation. In 2020, he was appointed an ambassador by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in recognition of his humanitarian efforts supporting displaced communities.

In his address to the graduates, Gould encouraged them to approach their careers with courage and creativity.

“Each of you graduating today can uniquely navigate the coming challenges and shape the future in ways that previous generations could hardly imagine,” he said. “Reframing our career and professional journey as a series of strategic experiments means following curiosity, embracing change, and being proactive in creating opportunities. We must believe—and be bold.”

The ceremony welcomed a distinguished delegation from VCU’s home campus in Richmond, Virginia, including:

• Michael Rao, President, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
• Todd Haymore, Rector of VCU’s Board of Visitors
• Dr. Fotis Sotiropoulos, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, VCU
• Dr. Carmenita Higginbotham, Dean of the School of the Arts and Special Assistant to the Provost for VCUarts Qatar
• Dr. Scott Breuninger, Dean of the VCU Honors College
• Dr. Meredith Weiss, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, VCU
• Dr. Aaron Hart, Vice President for Student Affairs, VCU
• William Nelson Jr., Senior Vice Provost for Academic Administration and Operations, VCU

From VCUarts Qatar, the university’s leadership team, including Dean Amir Berbić, associate and assistant deans, department chairs, faculty, and staff, were in attendance to support the graduating class.

During the ceremony, Mr. Ibrahim Jaidah, Chief Architect and CEO of Arab Engineering Bureau, was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa—VCU’s highest recognition.

In presenting the award, VCU President Dr. Michael Rao praised Jaidah’s contributions:

“Your career as a visionary architect, cultural steward, and sustainability advocate has left an indelible mark on the built environment of the Gulf region and beyond. You have become one of the most celebrated architects in the Middle East.

Beyond architecture, you are a champion of education and the arts. Your enduring partnership with VCUarts Qatar has empowered generations of students through mentorship, internships, and employment opportunities. You have not only elevated Qatari architecture on the global stage but have also enriched the VCUarts Qatar community through your mentorship, partnership, and generosity.”

In his address to students, Dr. Rao shared a message of hope and encouragement with the graduates:

“The world needs you and your leadership. At VCUarts Qatar, you’ve developed skills and ways of thinking that are more important now than ever. You’ve learned to think creatively, connect ideas across disciplines, and communicate across cultures. These abilities will serve as your compass as you help shape a better, more inclusive world.”

Dean Amir Berbić echoed that message in his own remarks:

“You are graduating into a world that has changed—and a world that needs you. Artists, designers, and creative thinkers are essential to shaping a more humane and imaginative future. This is a moment filled with opportunity.”

He also paid tribute to those who supported the students throughout their academic journey:

“Nobody gets to graduation alone,” he said. “Your loved ones—your support system—have been with you every step of the way. Their sacrifices and encouragement laid the foundation for your success. And to our faculty—thank you for being both mentors and motivators, committed to excellence and resilience.”

This year’s Valedictorian, Haneen Darwish (BFA in Interior Design), delivered a meaningful and emotional speech that resonated deeply with the audience.

“This moment is not just about me—it’s about what we represent. To be Arab, to be a student, to be a dreamer in difficult times means something powerful. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. We didn’t just survive—we made it through. And I am endlessly proud of all of us.”