Wait worth it, says Amna on completing graduation from Sorbonne University

Amna Al Qubaisi, the trailblazing Emirati racing driver who has inspired countless people with her grit and determination, recently marked a remarkable milestone in her life’s journey: the completion of her university degree.

For Amna, this achievement was not merely about the culmination of academic efforts but a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams, no matter the hurdles along the way.

Amna earned a bachelor’s degree in Records Management and Archival Science recently when Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) celebrated the graduation of its 15th cohort in a ceremony held at Emirates Palace’s Auditorium in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation and Chair of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s Board of Trustees.

The Class of 2024 honoured 217 master’s and bachelor’s graduates, marking a milestone of academic success and multicultural achievement. Degrees were awarded across various disciplines, including 146 bachelor’s degrees, 66 master’s degrees and 5 diplomas from the Continuing Education Centre.

The ceremony included addresses from Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE and Chancellor of the UAE University; Professor Nathalie Drach-Temam, President of Sorbonne Universite and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees; Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the UAE; Professor Edouard Kaminski, President of Universite Paris Cite; and Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Vice-Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Taking seven years to graduate, Amna’s journey was anything but conventional. Yet, as she reflects on her path, it is with a heart full of gratitude and a soul brimming with pride.

Each challenge faced, each delay endured, and every moment has woven a rich tapestry of growth and learning, making the achievement all the more meaningful.

For Amna, this is more than a personal triumph—it is a shining reminder that life’s greatest accomplishments are not measured by the speed of their attainment but by the depth of the journey taken to reach them. With this chapter complete, she stands poised to continue her inspiring legacy, both on and off the track.

Balancing her demanding racing career with academic commitments was no easy feat. Amna’s journey was marked by countless hours of training, travel, and competition, all while pursuing a degree at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi for their unwavering support and dedication. “Their invaluable guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in enabling me to successfully achieve this significant milestone of earning my degree. I am profoundly thankful for their commitment to my academic journey,” Amna added.

Reflecting on her experience, the Emirati driver stated, “The journey was long and challenging, but it taught me valuable lessons about perseverance and the importance of balancing passions.

“Completing my degree is a testament to the belief that with determination and hard work, one can achieve their dreams.”

Amna etched her name in motorsport history as the first Emirati and female racer to compete in the prestigious Formula 4 UAE Championship.

Her groundbreaking journey reached new heights in 2019 when she became the first female Arab to claim victory in a single-seater race.

Meanwhile, her sister Hamda Al Qubaisi, shattered barriers in 2021 by becoming the first woman to secure a podium finish in the fiercely competitive Italian F4 Championship. That same year, Hamda showcased her prowess in F4 UAE, finishing a commendable fourth.

Their meteoric rise continued with an electrifying debut in the F1 Academy. Hamda dazzled with four race victories, clinching third place in the 2023 drivers’ championship, while Amna secured sixth place with two wins to her credit.