Doha, May 06 (QNA) - Several Qatari winners of the Qatar Foundation Excellence Award for the 2026 cohort affirmed that the honoring of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, represents a strong incentive to continue excellence and actively contribute to the national development process, appreciating Her Highness's continuous support for creators and innovators.
In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA) during the graduation ceremony, the awardees expressed pride in receiving the honor, noting that more than 120 applications were submitted this year. A selection committee comprising representatives from Qatar Foundation partner universities chose 16 outstanding graduates, eight of them Qataris, based on exceptional academic performance and leadership across fields including technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, healthcare, law, and the arts.
Awardees highlighted the impact of Qatar Foundation's education ecosystem in shaping their ambitions and future contributions. Several recipients emphasized their commitment to advancing research, innovation, and community engagement in Qatar.
Among them, Sheikha Noura Abdulrahman Al-Thani, a PhD graduate in Law from Hamad Bin Khalifa University, said the award reinforces her commitment to using legal knowledge in service of society. 
Khalid Al Abdullah, a Biological Sciences graduate from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, expressed his aspiration to specialize in oncology and contribute to cancer research and treatment in Qatar.
Mashael Mohammed Al Sulaiti, Executive MBA graduate from HEC Paris, Qatar, said the award reflects the importance of disciplined goal-setting, while Khawla Zaki Al Essa from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar stressed the role of art in creating lasting social impact. 
Lolwa Mohammed Al Misnad from Northwestern University in Qatar highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change.
Ali Ibrahim Al Emadi, a Chemical Engineering master's graduate from Texas A&M University at Qatar, noted that Qatar Foundation's advanced learning environment inspired his pursuit of doctoral studies to bridge industrial application and academic innovation.
Officials from Qatar Foundation praised the graduates' ability to work across disciplines and their commitment to ethical responsibility, noting that nearly 30 percent of awardees have already launched innovative startups integrating fields such as computing, healthcare, design, and education.
The ceremony also honored several other graduates from Qatar Foundation partner universities across diverse academic disciplines. (QNA)