Away from the Homeland: In Pursuit of Excellence

Like 7.2 million other displaced Palestinian refugees battling bleak conditions, Ghassan Saad, a student of the College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), faced an uncertain future.

But the 19-year-old’s life radically changed when he received a full, merit-based scholarship from Qatar Foundation (QF) Student Financial Services for exemplary academic performance in the first year of his studies – an achievement that ushered in never-before prospects for his academic and career path.

Early-Year Fascination

“As a child, an inherent sense of curiosity overtook me and I frequently found myself disassembling electronic devices just so I could figure out the different components and learn how they worked. My interest in hardware and computers kept growing, and I read voraciously to build my knowledge, which I hoped would one day take me places,” said Saad.

“Almost a decade later, I am fulfilling my early ambition and pursuing a degree in computer science at HBKU, right here in Qatar’s capital city of Doha – one of the most desirable and sought-after cities in the world.”

Before coming to study in Qatar, Saad was living in the overcrowded Shatila refugee camp in Lebanon, where he was born and raised. The camp’s lack of amenities, restricted access, and less-than-ideal living conditions present daily challenges for the 9,500 residents living in the area. 

Arriving in Qatar, Saad faced a new set of challenges where he had to navigate a whirlwind of emotions, unfamiliar surroundings, acquaintances, and expectations. Embarking on undergraduate studies abroad, away from family, friends, and all that is familiar, was a difficult decision, but it wasn’t long before he found himself adapting and even thriving in his new environment.

 “The high standard of education offered in Qatar makes it an attractive destination for international students. I knew that choosing to move here was the best decision to build a good future. The Computer Engineering program at HBKU was the best fit for me as it enables me to express my passion and pursue my interests.”

A Community of Support

Ghassan acknowledges that his academic performance was supplemented by the positive environment he immersed himself in during the first year of his studies. It was this encouraging environment and the support of the HBKU community that saw him obtain an impressive overall GPA score, which secured him a full scholarship for the remainder of his bachelor degree.

An ever-growing number of students worldwide relies on some form of financial aid to complete their post-secondary education. With the financial burden lifted, Ghassan is able to focus all of his attention on maintaining his top academic performance throughout the remainder of his studies.

“Receiving the scholarship has completely eliminated the uncertainty and worry about how I would be able to afford my studies.”

With the enriching and multidisciplinary learning experience Ghassan is currently enjoying at HBKU, he plans to stay on at the university to pursue his graduate studies.

“I have a keen interest in cybersecurity, and fortunately, HBKU has a corresponding master’s degree. I plan to embrace each and every opportunity I’m presented with, especially when it comes to learning; I want to grasp as much as I can,” he said.

“I believe success is earned through hard work and dedication, and I am not easily deterred by challenges. If you want it bad enough, work hard and you will achieve it.”