Qatar Academy celebrates 15 years of success

Qatar Academy (QA) marked its 15th anniversary, with more than 600 students taking part in celebrations, the highlight of which was a surprise appearance by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation .

Having started life as a single classroom in a portacabin, QA has blossomed in the last 15 years into one of the leading schools in the Middle East. And its development has been mirrored by the growth of QF.
 
“Qatar Academy is very close to my heart,” Her Highness told the assembled students. “It was the beginning of everything and the seed of what has become Qatar Foundation today. This country is giving you great opportunities. But with great opportunities comes great responsibilities. It’s up to each one of you to either grasp these opportunities or squander them. I want you to make the most of your education, and I want you to make me proud.”

The assembly included pupils who were part of QA’s first intake, such as Grade 12 student Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani. “Growing up in this school had a huge impact on my development as a person and what I have turned out to be,” he said. “Qatar Academy has given me many memories and has always stuck with me through the best and the worst. The school made sure it enhanced our education without ever neglecting other aspects of us. The goal was not only to give us the best education, but to raise us as responsible citizens.”

The celebrations featured performances from QA’s primary school choir and band, before Her Highness contributed a personal piece of history to the school’s time capsule, in the form of a signed copy of her speech from the FIFA World Cup 2022 final bid presentation in Zurich, Switzerland in December 2010.

Given that the time capsule is due to be opened in 2022, the gift was most appropriate, and Her Highness expanded on the theme by asking the assembled students, “What will each of you be contributing to Qatar in 2022?” A primary school pupil bravely responded by declaring, “In 2022 I will be playing football for Qatar,” followed by another student who exclaimed, “I also want to play for Qatar in 2022, but as team captain.” As the assembled group applauded, Her Highness expressed her approval, remarking, “That’s what I want to hear from you. Aim high.”
QA Principal Mike Hitchman highlighted the significance of the day’s celebrations. “It was important that the students celebrated this school landmark and looked back in order to appreciate how much has been achieved in just 15 years,” he said. “The arrival of Her Highness and her words 'with great opportunity comes great responsibility' helped give the students a sense of direction for the future”. 
 
On its journey to help transform the nation to a knowledge-based economy, QF has achieved a great deal, and fostered QA’s pursuit of academic excellence. Academy Director Dr Gregory Hedger commented, “As one of QF’s flagship schools, QA is proud of the strides we have made and the traditions and heritage we have set for its future students. Our students have access to the branch campuses of top learning institutions from around the world. 
“When I show visitors around, I tell them that all of these are just manifestations of the vision of the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser for this nation and for the people from other countries who chose to live here. And Her Highness’ visit not only made new memories for us, it also reiterates their vision and her personal commitment to see it to its fruition”.