Latest news with #GUQ
Al Bawaba
06-07-2025
- General
- Al Bawaba
Reclaiming Narratives: How Dr. Maryam Alsada is Transforming How We Study Gulf Women's Histories
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 rising senior Ftaim Alqahtani, who took the course for her minor in history, it was a chance to connect to discussions that traditionally center 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.'
Al Bawaba
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Georgetown DC Students Deepen Arabic Skills and Cultural Understanding During Debate Exchange in 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 weeklong 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 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 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 resources. Justin 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 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.
Al Bawaba
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Georgetown Qatar Graduate Brian Wibowo Named 2025 Yenching Scholar at Peking University
Brian Cody Wibowo (SFS'25), a graduate of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), has been selected as one of 114 scholars worldwide to join the 2025 cohort of the Yenching Academy of Peking University, one of the most competitive and renowned postgraduate programs in the world. With an acceptance rate below 3%, the program attracted thousands of applicants worldwide and enrolled students from more than 40 countries to pursue an interdisciplinary master's degree focused on China's changing role on the global stage. Hailing from a small town in Sumatra, Indonesia, Brian built an academic and advocacy career at Georgetown that spanned institutional reform, regional research, and global policy dialogue. Graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in International Economics, Brian was known for his campus thought leadership and exceptional research focusing on diasporic governance, development policy, and Southeast Asia-China relations. Research and global engagement As a Kalorama Fellow through Georgetown, he conducted comparative fieldwork on Chinese clanhouses in Penang and Medan, analyzing their roles in mediating identity and authority under colonial rule. He presented this research at the 2025 Yale Undergraduate Research Conference, where he was awarded second place in humanities research. He also participated in Georgetown Global Dialogues, facilitating critical conversations on post-development, degrowth, and the future of political economy. Advancing education policy for a new era As a member of GU-Q's Honor Council, Brian worked closely with his peers to co-author the university's first AI academic policy, developing ethical frameworks for student use of generative technology. As one of two students selected to represent Georgetown as a U7+ Alliance of World Universities Fellow, at the NEXT Milan Forum, he co-developed policy recommendations on legacy admissions and international student equity, later reviewed by Group of Seven (G7) university leaders. Reflecting on the experience, he wrote: 'While the challenges we face are undoubtedly complex and deeply rooted, there is an emboldening realization that progress is possible when each of us recognizes our integral role in shaping a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.' Leading health, education, and human rights initiatives Outside the university, he co-founded a grassroots initiative in Sumatra focused on food insecurity, disability inclusion, and community-based education. The initiative launched mobile health outreach to over 30 underserved villages, built food banks during the pandemic, and established scholarship pipelines for children with invisible disabilities. He later led national research and reform efforts as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, focused on disability policy and educational equity. His global engagement also included participation in the Doha Debates Global Ambassador Program, where he actively engaged in sustained dialogue and co-developed policy ideas on education reform and climate justice. He later joined the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community, where he supported migrant labor advocacy for unprotected workers in Qatar. Furthering research on Southeast Asia-China relations Although Brian received prestigious scholarships to attend other graduate programs, including Columbia University, Brown University, and Sciences Po Paris, he chose Yenching for its intellectual structure, regional relevance, and the opportunity to situate his work within China's institutional and historical frameworks. At Peking University, Brian plans to build on his past work by examining how transregional migration, diasporic institutions, and postcolonial legacies shape development trajectories in Southeast Asia. His focus will combine archival and ethnographic methods to explore how Chinese influence is embedded not only in trade or diplomacy, but in how communities structure governance, belonging, and memory. 'China isn't just shaping Southeast Asia's future. It's already embedded in the infrastructures, narratives, and moral economies that define the region,' explained Brian, adding: 'Studying that from within — not through headlines, but through lived experience — is a necessary step for anyone committed to understanding where we go next.' A solid foundation for the future at GU-Q As he prepares to begin his studies this fall, Brian reflected on the role Georgetown played in shaping his path. 'Georgetown didn't give me answers—it gave me the freedom to ask harder questions, the mentorship to sharpen them, and the space to pursue ideas beyond the classroom,' he said. 'Even as I take this next step abroad, I know the way I think, the way I work, and the values I carry were all forged here.' He credits the university not just for its academic resources, but for its culture of intellectual independence and public engagement. 'What stays with me is that sense of urgency—of being expected to show up, think critically, and act responsibly, no matter the scale of the issue.' © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Bawaba
06-05-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Georgetown University in Qatar Announces Prime Minister of Qatar as 2025 Commencement Speaker
Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is proud to announce that His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, to be held on Thursday, May Excellency is a distinguished statesman whose leadership has shaped Qatar's strategic direction across governance, diplomacy, and international development. As Prime Minister, he heads the Council of Ministers and plays a central role in formulating national policy. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he has advanced Qatar's global engagement through proactive diplomacy and a steadfast commitment to peace, regional stability, and multilateral cooperation.A leading advocate for sustainable development, His Excellency also chairs the Qatar Fund for Development, which supports transformative initiatives in education, healthcare, and economic resilience across more than 70 countries.'We are profoundly honored that His Excellency joins us in this special year, our 20th in Qatar. 'His presence will inspire our graduates as they embark on their journeys of leadership and service,' said Dean Safwan Masri. The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 and mark a major milestone in GU-Q's two decades of excellence and service in Qatar. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
