Saad Al-Kaabi, director of oil and gas ventures at Qatar Petroleum, told Texas A&M University at Qatar engineering students this week that they could be eagles in winds of change as Qatar expands its natural gas industry.

“I am sure most of you watched the Olympics over the last couple of week and will agree that it’s exciting to be part of the olympics of gas, where Qatar is pure gold in LNG and has a world record that is difficult to beat,” Al-Kaabi said.

Al-Kaabi was the guest speaker at Texas A&M at Qatar’s academic convocation, held Monday night in Doha. “The oil and gas industry in Qatar will need eagles in the future, and I encourage you to come and fly among the winds of change which will drive this vital industry to new horizons,” he said.

The University’s academic convocation marked the beginning of the 2008–2009 academic year, which already has seen the engineering program’s largest incoming class and largest total enrollment since it began in Doha in 2003. More than 340 students are enrolled for the fall semester.

Dr. Mark H. Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A&M at Qatar, lauded the University’s successes last year, including the graduation of 32 Aggie engineers, and promised for an even greater year ahead. “I have no doubt that 2008–2009 will be even more impressive than last year,” Weichold said. “We have the largest faculty ever in Doha, we are offering the broadest array of courses since the campus opened in 2003, and we have successfully launched a study-abroad program.”

“I am quite certain that 2008–2009 will be another year for the record books,” Weichold added.

Weichold presented recognition certificates to students who had top marks during the 2007–2008 academic year and he oversaw the presentation of Aggie senior rings to more than 20 students.

Al-Kaabi urged students to make the most of their education. “You have chosen to get your education in one of the finest schools in the world with a great history and reputation, Texas A&M,” he said. “With teamwork, dedication and commitment you will become great engineers, scientist and leaders in the future and I am sure you will make us all proud.”