Latest news with #GU-Q
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
How GU-Q Students are Preparing to Shape Qatar's Diplomatic Future from the Halls of the UN
Poised to shape Qatar's diplomatic future, students from Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) spent their summer stepping onto the world stage through prestigious United Nations programs at the center of global Fellows InternshipsFatima Al-Khanji and Salman Al-Emadi, Class of 2026, spent their summer in UN offices in New York as Youth Fellows, part of a competitive internship program organized by the Qatar Leadership Center and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. 'Each of us was placed in different UN offices based on our CVs and interests,' explained Fatima, who worked at the UN Protocol and Liaison Service. Class of 2025 graduates Waad Al-Maadeed, Khalid Al-Kuwari, and Mohammed Al-Mesnid also were selected for the prestigious program. 'From escorting dignitaries to managing logistics for credential ceremonies and major conferences, I was able to see the heart of international diplomacy in action,' shared UN Youth DelegatesRising senior Noor Al-Thani also spent her summer in diplomatic service as one of six national delegates for the Qatar United Nations Youth Delegates Program, an initiative led by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Sports and Youth. She spent the summer gaining formal training from national institutions, international organizations, and expert trainers, preparing to represent Qatar on the global stage. 'I will represent Qatar at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025, and participate in several other international conferences, including sessions at the High-Level Political Forum, and possibly in the Social Development Summit, Financing for Development Forum, and the UN Ocean Conference,' shared Noor, who was joined in the program by Muneera Al Attiyah, Class of 2028. 'Our participation shows that youth are capable of engaging with diplomacy at the highest level not just as observers but as contributors.'Recipe for SuccessBoth Fatima and Noor emphasized the influence of GU-Q in preparing them to contribute to discourse at the highest levels of diplomacy. 'Courses in culture and politics, media and representation, and regional studies equipped me with the tools to analyze and engage with global issues critically,' said Noor. 'Courses like international relations, foreign policy analysis, and cultural diplomacy helped me understand the institutions within which I worked. My French studies have also come in handy — I've used it regularly with some of the francophone colleagues in my office,' said Fatima. Her strengths in diplomatic communications were recognized with a special assignment at the General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs Division, where she employed her Arabic skills to support a high-level meeting. She recalled: 'Hearing Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, read aloud what I prepared was a surreal and proud moment I'll never forget.'
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
GU-Q students gear up to shape Qatar's diplomatic future through UN experience
Tribune News Network Doha Poised to shape Qatar's diplomatic future, students from Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) spent their summer stepping onto the world stage through prestigious United Nations programs at the centre of global decision-making. Fatima Al-Khanji and Salman Al-Emadi, Class of 2026, spent their summer in UN offices in New York as Youth Fellows, part of a competitive internship programme organised by the Qatar Leadership Center and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. 'Each of us was placed in different UN offices based on our CVs and interests,' explained Fatima, who worked at the UN Protocol and Liaison Service. Class of 2025 graduates Waad Al-Maadeed, Khalid Al-Kuwari, and Mohammed Al-Mesnid also were selected for the prestigious programme. 'From escorting dignitaries to managing logistics for credential ceremonies and major conferences, I was able to see the heart of international diplomacy in action,' shared Fatima. Qatar UN Youth Delegates Rising senior Noor Al-Thani also spent her summer in diplomatic service as one of six national delegates for the Qatar United Nations Youth Delegates Programme, an initiative led by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Sports and Youth. She spent the summer gaining formal training from national institutions, international organisations, and expert trainers, preparing to represent Qatar on the global stage. 'I will represent Qatar at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025, and participate in several other international conferences, including sessions at the High-Level Political Forum, and possibly in the Social Development Summit, Financing for Development Forum, and the UN Ocean Conference,' shared Noor, who was joined in the programme by Muneera Al Attiyah, Class of 2028. 'Our participation shows that youth are capable of engaging with diplomacy at the highest level not just as observers but as contributors.' Recipe for Success Both Fatima and Noor emphasised the influence of GU-Q in preparing them to contribute to discourse at the highest levels of diplomacy. 'Courses in culture and politics, media and representation, and regional studies equipped me with the tools to analyze and engage with global issues critically,' said Noor. 'Courses like international relations, foreign policy analysis, and cultural diplomacy helped me understand the institutions within which I worked. My French studies have also come in handy — I've used it regularly with some of the francophone colleagues in my office,' said Fatima. Her strengths in diplomatic communications were recognised with a special assignment at the General Assembly and ECOSOC Affairs Division, where she employed her Arabic skills to support a high-level meeting. She recalled:'Hearing Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, read aloud what I prepared was a surreal and proud moment I'll never forget.'
Qatar Tribune
06-07-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
Reclaiming narratives: How Dr Maryam Alsada is transforming study of Gulf women's histories
Tribune News Network Doha As an alumna and Postdoctoral Fellow at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), Dr Maryam Mohamed Alsada is charting a course at the intersection of rigorous academic inquiry and grounded community engagement. Her summer course, 'Documenting Gulf Women', invites students to critically examine the politics of knowledge production—asking how the lives of Gulf women can be documented through more ethical, culturally grounded, and imaginative methodologies. For rising senior Ftaim Alqahtani, who took the course for her minor in history, it was a chance to connect to discussions that traditionally centre on Western women's experiences. 'I fell in love with history through taking classes at GU-Q, but I had felt excluded from theoretical discussions about womanhood,' said Ftaim, adding: 'Taking this course from someone who understands the unique experiences of women in the region far exceeded my expectations.' Designed as a seminar with immersive, site-based learning, Documenting Gulf Women integrates literary texts, historical scholarship, visual art, and film with field visits and guest speakers. Rooted in Dr Alsada's doctoral research investigating Gulf women's lived experiences during the pearl diving and early oil eras, the course teaches students to draw on oral histories, archival materials, and embodied memory to offer nuanced readings of Gulf history from the ground up. It is a methodology she employed for her University College London dissertation, titled 'The Lives of Girls and Women in Bahrain and Qatar,' which explores women's agency and social labor across shifting political and economic landscapes. 'Gulf women have always had voices,' said Dr Alsada. 'Our task as scholars is to interrogate the structures that have filtered, silenced, or misrepresented them—and to find methodologies that center their ways of knowing.' The seminar culminated in a student showcase of original documentation projects. Drawing on both primary and secondary sources, students presented creative works that captured the lives of Gulf women through oral histories, mini-podcasts, visual storytelling, and curated exhibits. Each project engaged critically with the politics of visibility, authorship, and historical preservation. Ftaim's project examined the contributions of her grandmother, Asma al-Neama, to the development of Qatar's educational system. 'I learned that academic work can begin with love and still be rigorous,' she said. 'The course taught me how historical recovery can be a form of care, particularly when conducted using oral histories and feminist methods that prioritise lived experience. It showed how storytelling can resist erasure and question which voices are considered worthy of documentation.' As an alumna, anthropologist, and educator, Dr Maryam Alsada embodies Georgetown's commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility. Her work, informed by her own educational journey, not only highlights underrepresented narratives but empowers students to become keepers of history in their own right. A firm believer in student-centered learning and place-based pedagogy, Dr Alsada sees teaching as a form of both scholarship and stewardship. 'I want my students to feel rooted in their histories—not just as observers, but as participants in shaping how those histories are told.'
Qatar Tribune
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Georgetown DC students boost Arabic skills, cultural knowledge with debate workshops in Doha
Tribune News Network Doha A group of Arabic heritage learners from Georgetown University's Washington, DC, campus recently completed an immersive academic and cultural visit to Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), culminating in their participation in a university-level Arabic debate competition hosted by Qatar University. The week-long exchange, aligned with Georgetown's commitment to multilingual and cross-cultural learning, offered the visiting students a chance to deepen their Arabic fluency while engaging with regional peers on critical issues. As part of their preparation, the team took part in five days of intensive debate workshops at GU-Q led by Dr. Seerwan Hariry, assistant teaching professor of Arabic. The sessions focused on the fundamentals of Arabic debating, including mock debates on timely topics such as environmental taxes and university admissions policies. Through these simulations, students practiced speaking formally in Arabic and refined their critical thinking skills. For Shady Makhlouf, an International Politics major (SFS 2025) studying in the United States, the trip was an incredible learning experience. 'The National debate competition we took part in was very special, as we combined teams from both campuses to form four teams. Although our campuses are thousands of miles apart, it felt as though we were competing as one university,' he said. His classmate Adelina Stulen (GU-Q'26), added: 'I could never imagine myself competing in Arabic debates, so it was certainly a new and challenging experience - but the energy and support of our Georgetown team made that day exciting for me!' Beyond the classroom, students had a chance to see how Arabic is used across Qatar.'We explored some of Qatar's most iconic institutions — from Al Jazeera to the Qatar National Museum, Qatar University, Qatar National Library, QF Headquarters, and many other places,' explained Dr. Hariry. One of the highlights was an exclusive tour of the Al Jazeera Media Network headquarters in Doha, where students observed live news production in both English and Arabic. The behind-the-scenes experience made a lasting impression on the students, who regularly practice their Arabic by watching excerpts from the media network, among other Liu, (SFS '28), who is studying Comparative Regional Studies in DC shared:'Seeing the actual set and the place that produces the Arabic media I use to learn was a great experience.' For Yinzhe Liu (SFS '28), the experience exposed her to a new career possibility in news: 'Witnessing live newsroom interaction and backstage operations taught me a lot,' she said. According to Dr. Hariry, the exchange and site visits helped students move beyond the classroom and into real-world application of the Arabic language, while engaging with fellow enthusiasts across continents. 'The students were delighted to host their DC peers and support a growing culture of collaboration between campuses,' he said. Shady agreed, saying 'The students we met were so kind and welcoming. I made new friends and reconnected with old friends that had visited the DC campus on past exchanges.' Although the Georgetown team did not place in the final rounds of the debate tournament, the experience of competing in Arabic against native speakers left a lasting impact. Students returned home with improved fluency, stronger debate skills, and greater cultural confidence—an experience that will continue to shape their academic and professional goals. The initiative underscores Georgetown's dedication to fostering intercultural dialogue and providing platforms for global learning across its campuses. As GU-Q celebrates its 20th anniversary, programs like this highlight the university's vision for producing ethically grounded, globally minded graduates.
Qatar Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
In pioneering trip, GU-Q students experience The Hague firsthand
Tribune News Network Doha In a pioneering experiential learning course offered by Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), 12 students recently travelled to The Hague, Netherlands, known as a hub of global law, to explore international justice up close. The new course, 'The Hague, International Law, and Justice: Institutions, Civil Society and Academia,' was developed and led by Dr. Noha Aboueldahab, assistant professor of International Law, and brought students face-to-face with institutions at the core of global law and accountability. For rising senior Bayan Kayali, who is majoring in International Politics, the trip was an important chance to see the inner workings of the international legal system in action. 'I gained invaluable insights about international law and justice that went far beyond what can be taught in a lecture hall,' she shared. Aspiring lawyer Justin Pacer, from the Class of 2026, agreed, saying:'It was truly one of the most formative academic experiences I've had.' Over the span of seven days, the students visited 13 institutions and engaged with nearly 25 professionals and academics from bodies such as the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and the UN Residual Mechanism for Criminal course also included meetings with Dutch diplomats, legal advocates, and faculty from partner universities. For several students, the trip was their last chance to gain real-world experience before graduation. 'I'm so grateful for the chance to learn from so many amazing practitioners, it was the perfect way to wrap up my undergrad journey,' shared International History major Natali Fanik. 'What this trip gave me was a deeply human connection to the material. Studying human rights litigation in theory doesn't capture what sitting with someone who spends every day trying to make it work in impossible circumstances.' Her classmate Areesha Fatima, who studied International Economics with a minor in Justice and Peace Studies reiterated how meaningful this experience was, saying: 'It was easily one of the most enriching experiences I have had at Georgetown. Standing inside the institutions I have studied for years and speaking with the people who run them made me realise that a career in international justice is not just a distant dream. It helped me to envision my own place in these institutions and I can't think of a better way to end my undergraduate degree.' The students' thoughtful engagement left a lasting impression on their hosts, including Senior Public Prosecutor Jolanda de Boer from the Netherlands National Public Prosecutors' Office, who said, 'The questions the students asked… were proof of their great commitment to and knowledge of international law. I was genuinely impressed.' The Embassy of the Netherlands to Qatar also played a critical role in the success of the trip, providing suggestions and connections on the ground, including Ambassador Ferdinand Lahnstein, and Ilyaas Sherally, former head of political affairs at the embassy. 'It was a pleasure to support such a meaningful visit and a privilege to engage with such driven and sharp students. In times as unsettling and troubling as these, not least with the man-made catastrophe in Gaza, the importance of International Law and Justice cannot be overstated,' commented Sherally. 'No words can adequately describe the thrill of teaching this new experiential learning course,' said Dr. Aboueldahab, thanking her colleagues and trip co-organisers Angela Marongiu and Dr. Rowan Ellis. 'I'm deeply grateful to all those who took the time out of their busy schedules to engage, and especially to the amazing students who made this course special with their critical and constructive reflections.' The students shared those reflections in final assignments submitted at the end of class, such as this excerpt from Justin Pacer's ePortfolio. 'I leave this trip with a much deeper sense of responsibility, empathy, and understanding. A responsibility to not just critique from a distance, but to engage. A responsibility to carry forward the labour of those who are working, often unseen, to move justice forward. And most of all, a responsibility to give back. To use what I've learned not just to write better papers, but to stand for something.' Now celebrating two decades in Qatar, this course is a powerful example of GU-Q's commitment to bridging classroom theory with real-world insight—equipping students with firsthand exposure to the complexities of global justice.
