VCUQatar Hosts Alumni Networking Reception

The alumni reception was preceded by a presentation by Barwa Media, 80% of whose staff comprise VCUQatar graduates, with 90% of the design department comprising VCUQatar alumni. Amal Ameen Al-Mehain, VCUQatar alumna and acting art director at Barwa Media, introduced the organization to the visitors who included Dr. Michael Rao, VCU president, Mrs. Monica Rao, VCU Alumni Relations liaison, VCUQatar Dean Allyson Vanstone, Sana Juma Al-Buainain, director of Alumni Relations at VCUQatar, Matthew Woolman, director of Design Entrepreneurship at VCUQatar and William McGee, chief administration officer at VCUQatar.

Maryam Al Beshri, VCUQatar alumna and events manager at Barwa Media took the gathering through some of Barwa Media’s achievements initiated by the events and design departments. Some of these included organizing the Qatar National Day in Cyprus, the branding-to-publication work for clients like Qatari Diar, Qatar Investment Authority, Lusail among others and interior design projects for clients like the Embassy of Oman, Jassim Tower and Qatari Diar. Jawaher Al Mahmoud, VCUQatar alumna and senior interior designer at Barwa Media who is project manager for the new Barwa Media offices concluded the presentation and gave the visitors a tour of the new spaces designed by VCUQatar alumni. Dr. Mohammed Al-Ansari, chairman of Barwa Media, met with the visitors and expressed his delight at the wonderful work VCUQatar alumni were doing at Barwa Media.

The visitors then proceeded to the Bistro Café where VCUQatar alumni, including those from Barwa Media, had gathered to meet with Dr. Rao and Mrs. Rao. “Interacting with VCUQatar graduates at this alumni event has been most gratifying,” said Mrs. Monica Rao. “These are clearly talented and bright individuals who value their VCU education and want to stay engaged in the life of the university. My husband and I look forward to keeping alumni engaged and involved as VCU advances to the next level. We see tremendous potential at VCUQatar and look forward to making great strides in the years to come. What I observed is evidence that VCU and its graduates in Qatar are helping to shape the future, society, and economy of Qatar.”

Sana Juma Al-Buainain, director of Alumni Relations at VCUQatar was happy with the success of the event. “At the reception, the alumni had the opportunity to express their hopes and the challenges they face as designers in Qatar. They are all looking forward to actively participating in the VCU Alumni Associations in Qatar and Richmond. And Mrs. Rao has extended her full support to make the ongoing activities a success,” she said. The reception concluded with a luncheon throughout which the alumni continued interacting with President Rao and Mrs. Rao and networking with each other.