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| Flanked by Prof al-Misnad and Dr Wright, Dr al-Hashem attends the conference |
The two-day scientific and academic conference was organised by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in collaboration with the Department of International Affairs (DIA) and the Gulf Studies Programme under the theme ‘The GCC at 30: Past Achievements and Future Prospects’.
Its goals was to bring together regional academic and experts to dialogue on the alliance’s gains and challenges, its growing international role and the way forward.
The forum also served to showcase QU’s newly-established Gulf Studies Master’s programme and engage DIA students on the GCC’s political, economic and social progress and development.
The inaugural keynote address was delivered by GCC Assistant Secretary General Dr Abdalla bin Oqlah al-Hashem on behalf of GCC Secretary General Dr Abd Al Lateef al-Ziyani.
In her welcoming remarks, QU president Prof Sheikha Abdulla al-Misnad urged students to interact with the experts and academics present to express their views and opinions and gain further knowledge about the alliance, its role in the region and in the international region, with the aim to forming a better understanding of developments and changes in the Gulf.
Dr al-Hashem stated that many events have occurred over the 30 years and while the process of effecting change may appear to be slow, it is important to know that strategic issues need patience.
CAS dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi said one of the aims of the conference was to engage students in public issues as they are very much relevant to their lives as citizens of the GCC countries.
DIA head Dr Steven Wright said the conference underlines QU’s commitment to Gulf studies and its emergence as a leading educational institution specialising in this important field of study.