Al-Mukalla – University Media
Under the patronage of Mr. Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi, Member of the Presidential Leadership Council and Governor of Hadhramout Governorate, Hadhramout University held today the closing ceremony of the Fifteenth University Student Week (2026) at Ali Ahmed BaKathir Hall at the University Presidency. The event was attended by the University President, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Saeed Khanbash, Vice Presidents, faculty deans, academic staff, and a large gathering of students and their families.
The ceremony commenced with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a documentary film highlighting the most prominent activities of the week, including scientific conferences, creativity and arts competitions, sports events, and poetry evenings organized by the University’s faculties.
In his speech on behalf of the Local Authority, Mr. Hassan Salem Al-Jilani, Deputy Governor of Hadhramout, emphasized the strong support for student and scientific activities, highlighting the vital role of university youth in building the present and shaping the future. He praised the University’s efforts in providing an enabling environment that nurtures students’ talents, strengthens their national identity, and promotes teamwork, contributing to the preparation of a capable and responsible generation. He stressed that the local authority supports all initiatives that contribute to improving the educational process and its associated activities, based on its conviction that real investment lies in people, particularly in the minds of young people.
For his part, the University President stated that the Fifteenth University Student Week was not merely a series of activities, but a reflection of students’ awareness and a platform demonstrating that the University is more than lecture halls, it is an incubator for creativity and a hub for talent development. He commended the outcomes of the Eleventh Student Scientific Conference, praising the quality of student research and the strong competitive spirit evident in scientific, cultural, and sports competitions. He affirmed that these achievements reflect the University’s commitment to linking educational outcomes with development needs and building a knowledge-based society.
He further stressed that the event marks a beginning rather than an end, urging students to go beyond academic degrees by developing skills, innovation, and initiative. He reaffirmed that students represent the University’s true wealth and that fostering an innovation-supportive environment is a strategic investment in the future. He also expressed his appreciation to the patron of the ceremony, the Deputy Governor, the Vice President for Student Affairs, the organizing committees, the academic staff, partners, and students.
On behalf of the partners of success, Ms. Shurooq Al-Ramadi, Executive Director of the Hadhramout Foundation for Culture, praised students’ creativity in transforming ideas into tangible achievements and thanked the University for providing opportunities for meaningful participation.
Honoring Ceremony
The event included honoring supporting entities, partners, and contributors through the presentation of commemorative shields. Awards were presented to students who secured the top three positions across twelve competition fields, including the Student Creativity Awards, the Student Scientific Conference, and sports championships. Students who represented the University in international forums were also recognized.
The ceremony also featured an artistic performance showcasing student talents, followed by a commemorative group photograph.
Highlights and Participation
According to Mr. Zaki Ahmed Baqwaequo, Director General of Student Activities, the Student Scientific Conference featured two main tracks: natural and applied sciences, and humanities and social sciences, with 36 research papers and projects from nine faculties, of which 12 received awards.
The Student Creativity Awards covered 12 fields, including Qur’an memorization, Hadith, poetry, recitation, nasheed, painting, sculpture, theatrical scriptwriting, and photography, with the introduction of theatrical scriptwriting as a new category. A total of 113 students participated, with 30 winners.
In addition, inter-faculty table tennis and chess championships involved 11 faculties and 132 participants, resulting in 12 winners, alongside various accompanying activities such as awareness lectures and student club programs.
Student Impressions
Student Doaa Saleh Aineen, an award winner at the Student Scientific Conference for her research titled “Journalists’ Attitudes toward Investigative Journalism in Hadhramout,” expressed her pride in the achievement, noting its importance in highlighting the role of investigative journalism in serving society.
Student Omar Ahmed Abdullah Al-Akbari, from the Engineering and Petroleum Faculty, winner of first place in Arabic calligraphy, expressed his appreciation to the University for supporting talents and providing opportunities that enhance students’ skills both inside and beyond the classroom.