DOHA: QU Gulf Studies Center (GSC) Director, Dr Majoob Zweiri (pictured), has said that Masters in Gulf Studies in Arabic is undergoing a progress process, which will contribute to launching a PhD in Gulf Studies in Arabic after a careful evaluation of the MA experience.
“We are seeking to make GSC the academic destination for those who wish to specialize in Gulf studies.The MA in Gulf Studies in Arabic is undergoing a progress process, which will contribute to launching a PhD in Gulf Studies in Arabic after a careful evaluation of the MA experience.
“The center is also studying the establishment of a joint MA between Qatar University and Durham University in the UK, as a continuation of the collaboration between the two institutions in the PhD track,” Zweiri said.
Founded in 2011, the Gulf Studies Center (GSC) at Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) is committed to advancing cutting-edge research and scholarship on the Gulf region. The centre offers faculty and students a rare opportunity to be exposed to academic research in the field of Gulf studies.
GSC engages in interdisciplinary, Gulf-focused studies and research in three main areas: Energy and Economics, Politics and Security, and Social Issues. The center offers a MA and a PhD programmes in Gulf Studies. Registration for both programmes has already started and will continue until April 10.
Zweiri said that the Gulf Studies Programme is the first of its kind interdisciplinary programme in the field of humanities and social sciences. “The programme benefits from the expertise of academics from various programmes at QU, which enhances the teaching experience. Additionally, the Gulf Studies Programme is the unique programme in the region that implements an interdisciplinary approach to its courses.”
He said that the centre is certainly keeping abreast of the current situations in the Gulf region. “Hence, we have special topic courses that could be used to study the current situation of the Gulf after the crisis. It is expected that the crisis and its implications will open up new areas for research in MA and/or PhD dissertations. In this regard, there are dissertations on the impact of social media on the Gulf crisis.”
He said that GSC is committed to provide its expertise to the local community and to cooperate with academic and research institutions that serve its vision. “In this regard, the center is open to new collaborations with a number of relevant institutions in Qatar such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the aim to exchange experiences.
“Additionally, the center will launch a postdoctoral research program for distinguished researchers who completed their PhD studies and who are interested in the Gulf region. This makes GSC the starting point for the academic and research work in the area of Gulf studies.”
GSC Director said that the center will host a workshop titled “Making Qatar the World’s First “Recruitment Fee-Free” Work Zone: Labor Supply Chain Management and Migrant Worker Welfare in Construction” in collaboration with New York University’s Stern Center for Business and Human Rights.
“It will also host a student symposium engaging students to present the papers they have produced during their studies in the program. This will allow them to enhance their presentation skills, which they need for acting as excellent student ambassadors in regional and international conferences. Additionally, the center is continuously working on designing activities that will prepare the students to become influential in the society.”
