The students of Weill Cornell Medicine — Qatar (WCM-Q) during its first-ever virtual graduation yesterday.
Doha: The academic excellence of world’s newest doctors was celebrated as Weill Cornell Medicine — Qatar (WCM-Q) hosted its first-ever virtual graduation yesterday.
This year 38 students — 13 of whom are Qataris — received their Cornell University MD degrees virtually with a belief that adaptation is necessary when confronted with unexpected circumstances such as the present COVID-19 pandemic.
The class of 2020 consists of 15 males, 23 females. There are 13 different nationalities, with new doctors hailing from, Australia, Canada, Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
Addressing the graduates, Dr. Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCM-Q said, “We give thanks to H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, and to H E Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, and to the Leadership of Qatar, for their ambition, vision and leadership, without which today’s celebration could simply not take place. Their wish to see you unlock your human potential has brought us all to this happy moment and I know that we are all deeply grateful for this tremendous act of faith and vision.”
The dean also congratulated the new doctors on their achievements. “These days shall pass, and each of you in the Class of 2020 will take up your position within the healthcare system alongside your more senior colleagues. You will join those who are - at this very moment - working hard to treat patients suffering with COVID-19 and many, many other diseases,” he said.
“We know that in hospitals around the world, acts of heroism are taking place every hour of every day. I am sure everyone here will want to join me in acknowledging and offering thanks to all healthcare workers, both here in Qatar and across the world, who are dedicating every fiber of their being to saving lives and to protecting us all. Their sacrifice is humbling to behold and to cherish in awe,” he added.
The online graduation ceremony also heard from Dr. Augustine Choi, dean of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, who said that the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the vital role that doctors and other healthcare professionals have in society.
Student speaker and Class of 2020 graduate Dr. Fawzi Saleem Zghyer said being a doctor took more than academic excellence.
With yesterday’s graduation WCM-Q, a Qatar Foundation partner university, has produced 422 new doctors since the first graduation ceremony in 2008. The latest cohort of doctors will begin their residencies – the first stage of their careers – in leading hospitals in Qatar and the United States.
