The awards were instituted by AEB’s Group CEO and Chief Architect Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, a longtime supporter and friend of VCUQatar, to encourage and assist graduating students as they start their careers as designers in Qatar and the region.

Arab Engineering Bureau presented the 2017 awards for Design Excellence and Creative Achievement and Potential to two graduating and two junior students from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) during a ceremony at the university recently.

AEB’s Group CEO and Chief Architect Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah, a longtime supporter and friend of VCUQatar, presented the Arab Engineering Bureau Award for Design Excellence in Graphic Design to graduating student Eman O Al-Jailay, and for Design Excellence in Interior Design to graduating student Majdullin Nasrallah.

The awards were instituted by Jaidah to encourage and assist graduating students as they start their careers as designers. Jaidah is recognised as a pioneer of a new architectural movement that combines the far-reaching influences of Islamic art with modern styles to create memorable landmark structures that are shaping Qatar.

Ibrahim Mohamed Jaidah reiterated their commitment to national development and support to young and enthusiastic generations of designers from VCUQatar.

Over the years, VCUQatar graduates have been at the forefront of the design industry in Qatar, and it is our absolute pleasure to be able to award such individuals for their hard work and help them kickstart their careers. I must also commend the level of education offered at VCUQatar. Over the past 11 years I have had the pleasure of working closely with a number of students who came to us as interns, and a number of graduates who have joined our team.

The Arab Engineering Bureau Award for Creative Achievement and Potential was presented to graphic design junior Amira Natsheh and interior design juniors AlJazi AlThani and Zeina Sleiman. These awards aim to help junior students recognise their true potential, create leadership and encourage them to continue developing their skills through their senior year.  The awards are a major highlight of the academic year for VCUQatar students.

VCUQatar’s Dean Akel I Kahera said the university was hugely grateful for the continued support from AEB over the past decade and added that the awards recognised the students’ commitment to their future careers in a very competitive and demanding environment. Aside from the awards, AEB and Jaidah continue to partner with VCUQatar by offering internship opportunities to VCUQatar students.

For more information, log on to their website at qatar.vcu.edu.