Latest news with #GU-Q
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.
Qatar Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
DI celebrates graduation of 12 distinguished diplomats
QNA Doha Under the auspices of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the Diplomatic Institute (DI) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) celebrated the graduation of 12 distinguished diplomats from the Executive Master's in Diplomacy and International Affairs programme. The prestigious programme was organised in cooperation with Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q). This programme, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of GU-Q, was attended by a number of senior officials, diplomats, faculty members, and the families of alumni. It forms part of the MoFA's efforts to develop Qatari diplomatic personnel and prepare them to the highest academic and professional standards, thereby enhancing Qatar's diplomacy on the international stage. Marking the occasion, Director of the Diplomatic Institute D. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Horr emphasized that the Executive Master reflects the ministry's commitment to investing in human capital. He praised the fruitful partnership with Georgetown University, a renowned academic institution. In turn, the graduates expressed their pride and gratitude for this unique opportunity, affirming their commitment to continuing to serve their nation and represent it in the best possible light at international forums.
Qatar Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
GU-Q graduate Brian Wibowo named Yenching scholar at Peking University
Tribune News Network Doha Brian Cody Wibowo, 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 programmes in the world. With an acceptance rate below three percent, the programme 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. As a Kalorama Fellow through Georgetown, he conducted comparative fieldwork on Chinese clan houses in Penang and Medan, analysing 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. As a member of GU-Q's Honour Council, Brian worked 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 realisation that progress is possible when each of us recognises our integral role in shaping a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all.' 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.
