The Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne marked a significant milestone with the graduation of the first cohort of Qatari students from its Sorbonne programme in Qatar. The ceremony, held on Sunday, celebrated nine graduates who represent the culmination of over two decades of educational collaboration between Qatar and France.
The nine graduates include two students who earned master’s degrees in law, Al-Reem Al Ibrahim and Dana AlQraim AlMarri, both of whom have proceeded to pursue doctoral studies at the Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne in Paris. The remaining seven graduates received bachelor’s degrees in law: Ali Al Attiyah, Dhabya Al Kaabi, Abdullah Rashid Al Kubaisi, Fatima Al Mohannadi, Fahad Al-Thani, Fatima Al Kubaisi, and Hattan Al Mohannadi. All nine completed their baccalaureate at the Lycée Voltaire in Doha, a French-Qatari school established in 2006 as part of a long-term vision to strengthen educational ties and cultural exchange between the two countries.
The academic partnership supporting this achievement involves Lusail University, led by Chairman of the Board of Trustees HE Dr. Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, and the Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. It exemplifies a collaborative effort that extends beyond traditional academic exchange toward a joint investment in cultivating intellectual and research talents.
French academics and officials highlighted that this cooperation sets a standard for scientific and cultural collaboration between nations. They emphasized the importance of continuing and expanding these efforts to enhance scientific research, knowledge exchange, and opportunities for students. According to the programme’s director and Public Law Professor Thomas Perrin, the graduation signifies more than an academic accomplishment; it represents the fusion of two cultures and intellectual traditions committed to bridging civilizations as a means of addressing global challenges.
The Sorbonne programme in Qatar currently enrolls over 110 students in a law curriculum delivered entirely in French, offering both bachelor’s and master’s degrees awarded by the Universite Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. Vice-President for International Relations at the university, Economics Professor Remi Bazillier, described the joint graduation as part of a wider strategy to internationalize the university’s educational offerings, with ongoing exchanges between Lusail University and the Sorbonne enriching academic and cultural ties.
Anne Rousselet-Pimont, Professor of the History of Law and Institutions and Co-dean of the Sorbonne Faculty of Law, expressed particular joy at welcoming the first Qatari cohort to the university’s Paris campus, reinforcing the program’s role in fostering cross-cultural academic engagement. Qatari graduates also voiced pride in their achievements, reflecting on the programme as a culmination of persistent effort and an experience that integrates Qatari and French cultural elements.
This milestone aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, demonstrating tangible progress in the country’s goal of advancing education and scientific research through international partnerships.