VCUarts Qatar welcomes new and returning students, staff and faculty to the academic year 2024-25 

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation (QF) partner university, welcomed new and returning students, staff, and faculty to the 2024-2025 academic year earlier this week.

This year, 97 new students joined the country’s only university dedicated to art and design, established in 1998. Of these, 91 students joined the undergraduate programs, and six joined the postgraduate MFA in Design program. 

The first week started with an engaging and energetic orientation program for new undergraduate and graduate students.

The new students were accorded a warm welcome by VCUarts Qatar’s faculty, staff, students, and the University’s senior leadership including Dean Amir Berbić.

Dean Berbić said, “At VCUarts Qatar, we are dedicated to nurturing not only your creative abilities but also your intellectual growth. The foundation of your education is built upon rigorous academic standards, and excelling in your studies will be essential to achieving your full potential. The skills and knowledge you acquire in the classroom are the bedrock upon which your creative talents will flourish.

“Strive for excellence. Your academic pursuits are designed to stretch your thinking, hone your skills, and push the boundaries of your creativity. By achieving excellence in your studies and expanding your horizons through extracurricular and leadership opportunities on campus, you lay the groundwork for a successful and impactful career.”

He added, “Remember, the true value of your time here lies not only in your academic achievements but also in the experiences and relationships you build. Embrace these opportunities, take risks, and allow yourself to be challenged.”

Interior Design Class of 2023 alumna Shaikha Darwish delivered the opening keynote speech at the new student Convocation ceremony. She talked about how she balanced her academic and extra-curricular activities at VCUarts Qatar, sharing how such experiences prepared her for several leadership roles such as President of VCUarts Qatar Student Association, and being part of the Interior Design Chair and Secretary Advisory Committee, and then, being chosen as the Class of 2023 Class Marshall. 

The new students were then introduced to the Directors, Heads, and Chairs of the various academic and non-academic departments, who gave them an overview of VCUarts Qatar’s BFA, BA and MFA programs.  

The orientation program for new students was a three-day activity-driven introduction to VCUarts Qatar. Students from the senior, junior, and sophomore years, along with the Student Government Association, and the University’s Student Affairs department led by Matthew Nelson Ph.D., were involved in organizing the program. 

Ayah Abdelwahab, one of the seniors organizing the event, shared her thoughts on behalf of her peers. 

She said, “We remembered our first week here, and hence, we worked incredibly hard to make this one memorable for this incoming batch. This year, we showcased the creative work of the University’s students by centering the theme around their specific academic pathways while maintaining a casual and fun environment that invited interaction. It was a true representation of what the University offers young artists, designers and researchers.”

The introductions, brainstorming, and team-building activities gave the latest cohort a taste of the academic pathways and served as an ice-breaker between the new students and the rest of the community.

New student Lucas Zilio Barnabe Venture, from Brazil, who has chosen to study a BA in Art History, talked about his first week at VCUarts Qatar. 

“This last week has been amazing. The moment I stepped in, I could see how the environment encourages learning and creativity. The orientation program was a reflection of this. I’ve been living in Qatar since I was nine; I’ve seen the way the art and culture scene has grown in the country. It’s the best place to learn Art History at the moment and I’m quite looking forward to my classes,” he said.

During the same week, the University’s Department of Human Resources held a one-day off-campus gathering at the Mandarin Hotel in downtown Msheireb for new and returning faculty and staff, where the leadership team shared priorities and strategic developments for the upcoming year. Awards for outstanding teaching and services were handed out to deserving faculty and staff, during the one-day event. This year, VCUarts Qatar, the international branch campus of the highly-rated Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, in Richmond, Virginia, will have 189 faculty and staff, including 20 new hires.