The start of the new academic year at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar), a Qatar Foundation partner university, saw 119 high achieving students earn places on the Dean’s List.
Across the global higher education landscape, inclusion in the Dean’s List is a recognition of a student’s hard work and academic excellence. At VCUarts Qatar, this selection takes place bi-annually. Traditionally, the awardees are celebrated at an event on campus that is followed by a luncheon, along with the families of the students.
This year, pandemic restrictions meant that the event took place virtually. A number of academic leaders spoke to the Dean’s List recipients and congratulated them for their achievements, including Amir Berbic, Dean of VCUarts Qatar, and Dr Cherif Amor, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
The Dean’s List is a recognition of superior academic performance. At the end of Spring 2020, students who attained a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, based on a minimum of 12 semester credits graded by the standard grade-mode, with no I-grades or grades below C, qualified for placement on the Dean's List.
Of the 119 students placed on the Spring 2020 Dean's List, and whom VCUarts Qatar is celebrating this week, 34 are from the Art Foundation programme, 21 from the Art History programme, nine are from the Fashion Design programme, 26 from the Graphic Design programme, 19 are from the Interior Design programme, and 10 from the Painting and Printmaking programme.
Amir Berbic welcomed the students and their families, saying: “There is no substitute for hard work and dedication; combine those with talent, and you get outstanding performance. Each one of you represents that equation, and that’s why you’ve been selected to the Dean’s List.
“It is no small honour to be on the Dean’s List. As Dean’s List students, you are setting the standard for all other students. Your names have become part of our school’s history, making each one of you a leader in your own right, both within and outside VCUarts Qatar’s community. Having observed and evaluated what you’ve achieved in so short a time, we’re excited to see what you’ll be doing next – both as students, and eventually, as alumni.
“I also want to congratulate the parents and families of our Dean’s List students. Your encouragement and support in their formative years have been crucial in giving them – your children – the confidence to stand out and excel.”