For this graduate of a university at QF, justice and equality are his life’s mission

“Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave" is a saying that left an impact on Abdulrahman Saad Al-Qahtani, Advisor at Qatar Development Bank, and a 2023 graduate who earned a Ph.D. in Economics and Islamic finance from Qatar Foundation’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University. 

This was a phrase that Al-Qahtani would read every day on a wall in his school, and the impressions of those words began to be etched in his mind from his childhood. His passion for knowledge was further fueled by his father, who also studied law, and became a Chief Public Prosecutor.

For Al-Qahtani, his father is his role model and an immense source of inspiration, and his wish is to follow his father's footsteps and continue his legacy of serving society and achieving justice.

"I am extremely proud to have fulfilled my father's dream of obtaining a doctoral degree, which he was unable to complete due to his responsibilities in taking care of me and my siblings,” says Al-Qahtani. “It was a tough journey, but through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, I was able to achieve this goal and make my father's dream a reality.”

Al-Qahtani grew up in a family of 17 siblings, where obtaining the best education and advancing through academic degrees was a top priority for their father, with most of them graduating in fields of law, engineering, sustainability, and others. 

Nine of the 17 siblings have studied at Qatar Foundation (QF) – in Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and at Texas A&M University at Qatar – seven of whom have already graduated, including Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani and his sister, Muneera Al-Qahtani, who celebrates alongside him this year by also receiving a Ph.D. in Sustainable Energy from HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering.

Besides the doctoral degree that Al-Qahtani is graduating with this year, he was a student in QF’s Academic Bridge Program, and has a Bachelor’s of Law degree from the University of Liverpool, a Master's degree in Islamic Finance from HBKU, as well as a second Master's degree in Law from the University of California, Berkeley.

Al-Qahtani says: "During my work as a legal counselor for over ten years at QF, I learned that QF’s leadership believes in the culture of lifelong learning, strives for it, and continuously applies it. This was a turning point in my life.

"Seeing prominent leaders continuing to educate themselves with persistence and passion was a living example that the journey of learning never ends, and we must always strive for personal and intellectual growth.” 

Al-Qahtani believes that religion is life, and from this perspective, he aspires to teach and practice law. "I dream of teaching law at HBKU and opening a law firm that serves those who cannot afford lawyers’ fees,” he says. “I am passionate about the law and believe that my mission is to use my knowledge and skills to help those in greatest need, as a way of serving Allah. 

“Whether through teaching or practicing law, I am determined to make a positive impact on the world and fight for justice. And I hope to inspire others and enable them to join this profession."

As Al-Qahtani looks forward to participating in QF’s convocation ceremony, which will be held on May 10, he attributes his success to what he learned from his father and the encouragement and inspiration he received from him over the years. 

"This achievement means a lot to me, as it not only represents my academic accomplishment but also honors my father's sacrifices and hard work. I am grateful to him for his guidance and support, and I hope to add to his legacy by making significant contributions to my field of study and to society as a whole."

• QF’s annual Alumni Forum will be held on Saturday, 13 May, with graduates of QF’s education ecosystem coming together to connect and reconnect with each other, build their networks, and discuss matters related to career pathways and opportunities with national stakeholders. The Forum reflects QF’s efforts to build a nationwide and international alumni community, and to providing its alumni with a platform to voice their ideas, concerns, challenges, and suggestions as they pursue their careers.