About CMU Qatar

History and Traditions

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After emigrating from Scotland in 1848, Andrew Carnegie worked in a textile mill. By attending night school and borrowing books, he transformed himself into a successful entrepreneur and industrialist, founding what became the world’s largest steel producing company.

Andrew Carnegie believed strongly that he should use his fortune to make the world a better place. In 1900, he donated $1 million to create Carnegie Tech, a school where men and women could learn and enhance their careers, lives and communities.

As a young man, Andrew Mellon joined the family banking business where he soon proved to be an extraordinary judge of entrepreneurial talent. Andrew Mellon understood that by putting money into research, he could find new, and profitable, technologies. In 1913, he created an independent, industrial research center called the Mellon Institute.

Long after the deaths of Andrew Carnegie and Andrew Mellon, these educational institutions continued to grow and flourish, and in 1967, they joined forces to form Carnegie Mellon University. By bringing together the best of both of these institutions, Carnegie Mellon was transformed into a worldwide influence.

Traditions

CMU-Q has developed its own traditions that recognize the culture of CMU, as well as the unique character of the Qatar campus.

Class Tile

At convocation, the incoming class is presented with a tile engraved with the graduation year. When the class graduates, the tile is returned to the dean and then installed in the front walkway of the CMU-Q building.

Plaid Stole

Convocation is a university tradition that welcomes new students and their families to Carnegie Mellon. For the ceremony, first-year students wear the robe and graduation stole that they will wear again at their graduation.

Graduation

At the graduation ceremony, students wear a tartan stole with the traditional cap and gown. Graduates who have earned academic awards wear additional regalia. The Qatar Campus Scholars wear a silver stole, and the Andrew Carnegie Scholar wears a red stole.

Qatar National Day

Each year, the Qatari Students Association hosts a celebration of the history and culture of Qatar. The evening includes a sword dance, samples of Qatari food, a falcon demonstration and traditional Qatari games and activities.

International Day

There are more than three dozen nationalities represented in the CMU-Q student body, and International Day is a student-run event that celebrates this cultural diversity. Students wear traditional dress, participate in cultural dancing and singing and share cuisine from all over the world.

Tarnival

The students, faculty, staff and alumni of CMU-Q celebrate the Tartan carnival each fall to play games, have fun and enjoy the cooler weather.

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