Student graduates stood outside the Dubai Women's College (DWC) auditorium, dressed in their elegant black abayas, waiting for the doors to open and their graduation ceremony to start.
A total of 1,207 were graduating. Some had been waiting two years for this event, and the newer batch had been waiting a year… and finally, the day came. They would go on stage and receive their degrees from Her Highness Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma'a Al Maktoum, Wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
And they had spent the whole day rehearsing their performance. Now was the time. Wrapped around their abayas were red, green, navy blue and velvet scarves. They were just about to obtain their diplomas, higher diplomas, advanced diplomas and bachelors degrees.
They waited outside the hall, fanning themselves with their graduation invitation cards and chatting about how life after graduation would be.
Two batches were graduating: the class of 2006 and 2007. Although the heat of the graduation moment had cooled off as they finished classes over a year ago, students still considered the ceremony an essential stepping-stone in their lives. Some said they were working, others pursuing their hobbies, but all of them agreed that this was a good opportunity to come together and celebrate their academic achievement.
Coming back for graduation
Shamma Al Suwaidi, information technology (IT) major, was rushing into the hall to put the final touches to her costume as Notes caught up with her. Now working as a network engineer in a huge local company in Dubai, she said that she was lucky to graduate from DWC because she felt prepared to enter the workforce.
"I actually found my job during work placement at the college," Shamma said. " I feel great, and though I finished classes last year, I still have the same excited feeling."
Some students said that they would have preferred an earlier graduation date that directly follows their final classes, as opposed to a delayed graduation.
Mariam Al Shamsi, a business student who finished last year, said, "I would have preferred if graduation was held last year, but it's still great that we are celebrating it this year."
She added, "My graduation ceremony is actually for my parents; it's to make them happy and proud".
Celebrating national identity
The evening was special for the students for numerous reasons. On one hand, it was their graduation day, which brought with it a feeling of pride, joy and hope; their families and friends were there to applaud their achievements and hard work. On the other hand, the ceremony was held under the theme ‘National Identity', an issue that students could relate to now that they entered the workforce and became active members of society.
This theme was at the heart of the Shaikha Hind's speech. Shaikha Mariam Bint Hasher Al Maktoum gave the speech on behalf of Shaikha Hind. In it, she highlighted the role of UAE national women in the workforce and their ability to show their talents. She said that the government is supporting UAE females and providing them with job opportunities, and that students have to opt for work and remain optimistic while preserving their values and customs.
The sense of nationalism vibrated through the hall as students applauded the speech and listened to their fellow graduate as she gave hers. Valedictorian Maitha Ebrahim, who studied mass communication at DWC, described her feelings of hope, gratitude to the parents and mothers and congratulated the young women.
"Today we give our nation 1,207 graduates ready to enter the workforce and give back to their country," she said. "I congratulate you, fellow graduates, in this special year as we all celebrate our national identity."
From university to the workplace
Many of the students have already found a job and started building their careers. "It's great to be in the workplace," said Mahra Aflaknaz, information administration graduate 2007. "We gained skills here that we now use in the workplace. Punctuality, time management and organisation are some of the things that we took with us after graduation."
Other students had different testimonials about working after graduation. "I did not have a pleasant experience at work," said Farida Ali, an IT student who finished classes in June 2006. "I didn't enjoy it so I chose to practice horseback riding instead."
Other students said that they are working in a field different from their major of study. "Although I studied IT, I am now working as a teller," Zainab Ebrahim said. "I hope to come back here to finish my higher diploma."
Her colleague, Sameera Mohammad, felt the same. "It was the job available so I took it, and either way I didn't enjoy being in IT."
