Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development (QF), hosted a delegation of students from Rice University’s James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy (Baker Institute).
The visit was part of a programme that works with students from both the US and Qatar and seeks to promote cross-cultural understanding and dialogue on public policy and diplomacy issues. Key themes of the 2015 conference included education, energy, health, and gender and equality.
The Public Diplomacy and Global Policymaking (PDGP) exchange between Rice University and HBKU offers both the US and Qatari students the opportunity to inform and engage each other in facilitated discussions.
The programme encourages visiting students to experience Arab or American culture in an effort to learn how cultural identity, political context, and geography affect policy.
Though much of the learning takes place during organised lectures and discussions, conversations often continue into meal times or breaks, solidifying connections between the cohorts and highlighting an interest in understanding each other’s diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.
Hurst Williamson, a senior at Rice University, majoring in history and political science as well as being student director of the PDGP delegation, commented: “You can read as many books and articles as you like about the Gulf region, but the opportunity to interact with people in Qatar gives those of us visiting from the US a depth of knowledge of the regional issues that’s only possible if you engage with people here on a personal level.
This year’s programme included talks by Dr Louay Safi, Professor of Public Policy at HBKU’s Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies on developments in education, Noor al-Malki, director of Doha International Family Institute on family, gender and identity in Qatar, and Dr Faleh Ali of the Supreme Council of Health on Qatar’s National Health Strategy. Students also toured Education City, the Museum of Islamic Art, and the
Al Sulaitan Farm.
In line with HBKU’s aim to drive collaboration with international partners, the exchange programme is now in its fifth year and allows both new and old participants to engage with each other in greater depth.
The initiative is committed to empowering students to think critically, focusing on leadership development and catering to students passionate about policy making. Alumni of the programme have gone on to continue the dialogue started during one of the official weeklong sessions, thereby building longer-term bridges of trust and understanding with friends across the world.
The visiting students.
