Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at the launching of the Masters programme in Corruption, Law and Governance, at the St Regis Hotel, yesterday.
DOHA: Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday inaugurated a Masters programme in Corruption, Law and Governance, the first if its kind in Qatar and the region, in a ceremony held at St Regis Hotel.
The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre (ROLACC) in Doha is implementing the programme in collaboration with the Sussex Centre for the Study of Corruption within the University of Sussex in the UK, known for its world-leading research and expertise in anti-corruption.
The LLM in Corruption, Law and Governance is a part-time, two-year course at ROLACC. Leading Sussex academics have designed the course according to University standards.
The students are expected to be professional graduates working in government, the commercial sector and non-governmental organisations who are committed to tackling corruption.
Speaking on the occasion, H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri, Attorney General and Chairman of ROLACC Board of Trustees, underlined the importance of the Masters programme saying it comes as part of the wise leadership to make Qatar among the leading countries working to combat corruption and respect the law.
Al Marri said that the directives of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have underlined the importance of the rule of law and the fight against corruption and that is why it is important to establish specialist resources in this field.
Al Marri, who is also the UN Special Advocate for fight against corruption, said that the late Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani, the founder of modern Qatar, established the country on the basis of justice. The subsequent development of the State resulted in a permanent constitution in the era of the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who instituted in his reign the separation of the three powers — legislature, judiciary and executive.
He underscored Qatar’s great achievement in the fight against corruption and respect for the law, adding there is always a lot to be done to ensure that Qatar is among the advanced countries in this field.
Talking to reporters, the Attorney General said that the Masters programme will accept students from all scientific and literary disciplines as corruption shall be combated in all sectors.
This year, the master’s programme enrolled 20 students from 12 nationalities and next year will accept 30 students and later 40 students, with the possibility of granting scholarships to students either through UN specialised institutions or through ROLACC, he added.
Highlighting the importance of the partnership with ROLACC, Professor Michael Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Sussex, said this Masters programme is the first of its kind in the region.
“University of Sussex is one of the best 10 universities in the UK specialising in research in anti-corruption. We are proud to provide this unique experience to students in Qatar,” said Davies.
The progamme is designed to be taught in Doha the same way it is taught in the parent university in the UK, he added.
