Georgetown University Commences its Eleventh Academic Year in Education City with New Student Convocation Ceremony

Following a busy week of new student orientation activities designed to ease students’ transition into university life by familiarizing them with the academic routine, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) officially welcomed the class of 2019 at its new student convocation on Thursday August 20th in Education City.

The GU-Q convocation is the formal initiation of incoming first-year students into Georgetown’s academic community, introducing students and their families to key elements of Georgetown’s history, traditions, and commitment to its founding values, and a commitment to uphold the Honor Pledge. After the students are officially inducted as members of the prestigious Georgetown student body, they don their academic robes, which they will wear once again at graduation four years later.

Commenting on the important and time-honored tradition, GU-Q Dean Dr. Gerd Nonneman said, “At this New Student Convocation, we recognize the ideals of Georgetown University, and repeat the rituals for bringing our newest members – the Class of 2019 – into our community of learners”.  

23 countries including, Bahrain, France and Egypt were represented among the new students enrolled, with 34 students hailing from Qatar. The Universities well-respected internationally-focused curriculum has a history of attracting exceptional, top-talent students, locally and from around the world.

Nonneman added, “Over the next four years, we will challenge our new students with the same interdisciplinary International Affairs curriculum as the one offered on our campus in Washington, D.C. It is our goal to equip every one of them with the skill-set and knowledge needed to make a positive contribution to the complex world we live in. It is a real honor to welcome some of the best and brightest students from Qatar and across the globe, into our community.”

GU-Q prepares students for a variety of careers by providing a four-year liberal arts education focused on the multidisciplinary study of international affairs.  Students have the opportunity to major in Culture and Politics, International History, International Economics, and International Politics, and can choose a focus of study to earn a Certificate in American Studies, Arab and Regional Studies, and the Media and Politics Certificate, a joint degree with Northwestern University in Qatar. Georgetown graduates contribute to a broad sector of Qatar and the region’s economy in the banking, oil & gas, communications, and government.

The incoming class of 2019 will be amongst a population of 260 students at Georgetown’s Qatar campus this year.