Registration for Gulf studies programme ends tomorrow

Registration for MA and PhD programmes will conclude tomorrow at the Gulf Studies Centre (GSC) of Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences, a world-first within the region to focus exclusively on the Gulf.The GSC engages in interdisciplinary, Gulf-focused studies and research in three main areas: energy and economics, politics and security, and social issues. Dr Abdullah Baabood, director, GSC, said the centre offers faculty and students a rare opportunity to be exposed to academic research in the field of Gulf studies.“The field of Gulf studies ranges from issues of politics and regional security, labour migration and education to resource management and sustainable development. Due to the increasing regional and global interest in this strategic area, the GSC developed further and established a research centre in the fall of 2013.”The MA and PhD programmes were developed in response to a growing need among stakeholders in the region for highly qualified graduates in the field of Gulf studies, Dr Baabood said, adding, “The programmes aim to provide students with an in-depth and interdisciplinary understanding of issues related to the contemporary states of the Gulf.”GSC associate professor in Contemporary History and Politics Dr Mahjoob Zweiri said, “The MA and PhD programmes in Gulf Studies provide students with opportunities to contribute to one of the world’s most rapidly developing regions while instilling a solid foundation for lifelong learning. They also provide students with internship and assistantship opportunities on a competitive basis to gain work experience and off-set tuition costs, preparing them to excel in their future professional and academic pursuits.”He also noted that the programmes provide an advanced interdisciplinary understanding and in-depth knowledge of issues related to GCC countries, and advance a level of scholarship on Gulf issues that is much-needed at this time.