Ar-Rasheed Smart University celebrates the graduation of its first batch of students – the 'Elite of Ar-Rasheed."
In a long-awaited moment, where pride intertwined with gratitude and the past merged with a realized dream, Ar-Rasheed Smart University stood at the threshold of a new historic milestone, announcing the birth of a generation of women empowered with knowledge and determination.
On the morning of Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the university celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of female students—“The Elite of Ar-Rasheed”—in a joyful academic ceremony held at Al-Qasr Hall in the capital, Sana’a. The event was attended by a large official and academic audience, including the University’s Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors of Deep Learning Company, deans of colleges, department heads, the university’s secretary-general, and a large gathering of graduates’ families and university friends.
This exceptional moment was encapsulated in a slogan rich with meaning: “From here we began… and to greatness we soared,” reflecting a pioneering academic journey that transformed from an idea into reality, from a dream into an achievement we all take pride in.
This ceremony was not merely a formal occasion—it was a historic moment that encapsulated years of ambition and effort. It reflected the image of a university steadily ascending toward leadership, confidently establishing itself as a young academic institution that builds individuals and believes in Yemeni women as partners in change and architects of the future.
The event began with a blessed recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by the entrance of the preparatory committee accompanied by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Faisal Al-Zubairi, and the rector of the University, Prof. Abdullatif Haidar. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official launch of this unprecedented event in the university’s history.
Graduate Aya Al-Harazi, head of the preparatory committee, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the graduates. She expressed her pride in being part of the first graduating class, affirming that this day is not an end but the beginning of a glorious journey shaped by the graduates’ determination and perseverance. The ceremony continued with impressive segments, including the graduates’ procession, the professional oath, and the playing of the national anthems of Yemen and Palestine—symbolizing belonging, freedom, and solidarity.
In his speech, Board of Trustees member Mr. Mohammed Abdul Salam Mansour stated: “Today is not just a celebration of certificates, but a pivotal moment in the students’ awareness—a birth of a new phase in their intellectual and societal lives.”
He emphasized that the university’s goal was not merely to graduate students with academic documents, but to cultivate conscious women, equipped with knowledge and grounded in values, capable of contributing meaningfully to their communities.
“If every graduate carries this awareness, then we have truly succeeded. But if the goal is only graduation, knowledge remains hollow and without impact.”
He stressed that Ar-Rasheed Smart University was not established to be just another number on the map of universities, but to be a nucleus for change and a beacon of knowledge carried by generations into the future.
For his part, the rector of the University Prof. Abdul Latif Haidar expressed his deep pride in this day, describing the graduation of the first cohort as a pivotal moment in the university’s history and a clear indicator of the institution’s qualitative path.
He said: “To be the first graduates of the university is both an honor and a responsibility. You are the face through which society will see this university. So rise to the occasion—be ambitious, diligent, and sincere in your contributions.” He added: “In our philosophy, education does not end at the classroom door—it begins the moment you graduate, when knowledge becomes a tool for action and experience becomes a path to change.”
He extended his gratitude to the students’ families, the dedicated faculty, and all those who contributed to the success of the ceremony—organizers and executors alike—affirming that the university will always remain a home for every graduate, a haven for their ambitions, and a lighthouse guiding them forward.
Graduate Ahlam Waleed, deputy head of the preparatory committee, delivered the graduates’ speech, saying: “The university was not just walls—it was a space for growth, a field for dreams, and a ground for questions and hope.”
With emotion in her voice, she added: “Our mothers, our fathers… you are the beginning and the result. This graduation is the fruit of your patience, your faith, and your prayers that accompanied us every step of the way. Our professors, you didn’t just teach us the curriculum—you taught us how to think, to question, and to dream.”
She concluded: “We leave the university’s gates not to depart from it, but to carry its message… each of us a story of hope and a project for building a nation that deserves the best.”
The celebration included honoring outstanding graduates from various disciplines and distributing graduation certificates to all students amid warm applause. The event also featured a moving poetry performance and a documentary film showcasing the university’s development journey.
The ceremony concluded with commemorative photos of the graduates alongside faculty and administrative staff—a moment where tears mingled with smiles, pride with nostalgia, and joy with responsibility.
The image of Ar-Rasheed Smart University was clear on this occasion: a pioneering institution, shaping leaders, and graduating a generation of young women ready to be active contributors to society, inspiring in their fields, and confident in themselves and their roles.
