In a virtual ceremony, the Arab Open University (AOU) celebrated on
Wednesday, September 2, 2020, the graduation of the 2019/2020 batch
including 5505 graduates in 8 countries under the patronage and presence
of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the AOU
Board of Trustees.
A group of Arab academics, graduates'
families and friends, the AOU staff, and a number of guests attended the
ceremony online. Starting with reciting verses from the Holy Quran, the
ceremony then involved a speech by the chairman of the AOU Board of
Trustees, and a speech by the AOU President, Prof. Mohammad Al-Zakari.
Next, a top student, Reem Abu Harab, delivered a speech on behalf of all
the graduates. Through live broadcast, HRH Prince Abdulaziz honors a
group of top graduates from 8 countries.
In
his opening speech, HRH Prince Abdul Aziz bin Talal said, “ I am
pleased to congratulate the graduates of the Arab Open University for
the academic year 2019/2020 and their families for the achievement that
we celebrate today, which is the culmination of their work and effort
over the past years."
Prince Abdul Aziz added, “Today, as we
celebrate virtually, with our graduates from various Arab countries, we
complete with you the mission of the university, and the visions of its
founders, HRH Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz, Rest his soul in peace, on
the right of each person to learn and acquire knowledge, without
geographical, economic or social obstructions." And “More than two
decades ago, it was no within prospect, or near reality, for higher
education institutions to see the holding of graduation ceremonies
virtually, and today, due to the circumstances the world is going
through; As a result of the effects of the COVID19 pandemic, we pray for
its end. This has become a reality; that called states and governments
to develop learning techniques and methods, and distance education to
become the ideal and most effective model on a global scale."
Also,
the chairman of the AOU Board of Trustees said, “Here, we are entitled
to be proud of our leadership in this field in which the universities of
the world are competing, trying to catch up with our footsteps after
the Arab Open University achieved a real leap in the Arab higher
education system, by adopting two systems; Distance education and
blended education, and its alumnae constituted a qualitiative addition
to their societies embodying, after nearly two decades, the importance
of t he vision of the founder and his leadership, rest his soul. In
addition to the Arab Open University's proof of its ability and
flexibility to meet all the standards and requirements of accreditation
bodies in its branches in different countries."