Worlds Unite at Annual VCUQatar Day

By Cassie Williams Jones

Unity was the theme at VCUQatar Day on the Commons Plaza, where VCU students, faculty and staff in Richmond got an idea of what life is like for VCU students and employees at the university’s campus in Doha, Qatar.

The student-organized event brought a showing of various aspects of Qatari life and was host to several students and faculty members visiting from the Middle Eastern campus. With a fashion show, regional foods, calligraphy samples, henna body art, Qatari music and even a camel, the Commons Plaza underwent a cultural transformation.

The activities opened with remarks from student and administrative leaders, including a welcome from VCU President Michal Rao, Ph.D.

“VCUQatar is a very strong source of pride for VCU,” Rao said as he welcomed the international visitors. “This is as much your home as it is any student’s at VCU. Each of you adds to our global perspective and an international reputation for excellence. You are helping set the stage for our future—in Richmond, in Doha and around the world.”

Joseph H. Seipel, dean of the VCU School of the Arts, shared similar sentiments.

“They are still VCU students, no matter where in the world they are studying,” he said. “This is one of the most exciting events on campus.”

VCUQatar art foundation freshmen Geetha Rajeswar and Dana El Ladki felt right at home during today’s events.

“There is a strong sense of connection and hospitality here – it’s amazing,” said Rajeswar, who described being overwhelmed at first by traveling to the Richmond campus.

“We always knew that we belong to VCU Qatar,” said El Ladki. “Now we are here, and we know we belong to VCU Richmond, too.”

Richmond students also recognized the alliance, and many showed up to absorb Qatari culture and learn more about the Doha campus.

“I’m so grateful for the other campus, and the fact that we can relate to a lot of these students,” said Asif Bhavnagri, senior political science major and president of the Monroe Park Student Government Association (SGA). “It’s super important for the students on this campus to interact with the students there. It’s such a unique opportunity.”

Members of the Monroe Park and MCV Campus SGAs have been working with the VCUQatar SGA in an annual leadership exchange. Richmond students travel to Qatar, and many Qatari students were at today’s event.

“It’s really great for them [Qatari students] to see how this campus works, and meet fellow students here and begin to build relationships,” said Line Ulrika Christiansen, director of the art and design foundation program at VCUQatar. “That really creates an open view of what the possibilities are.”

The diverse VCUQatar campus currently consists of 50 faculty members representing 23 countries, more than 230 students representing 33 countries, and almost 300 alumni from 33 countries.

Established in 1998, VCUQatar is a center of excellence for education and research in art and design, offering four undergraduate majors, and one graduate program. It was the first campus established in Education City through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation.