QU and Lund University to collaborate on education, research and training

The Center for Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) at Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS) signed yesterday an agreement with the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University, Sweden.

The agreement was signed by CHSS director Dr Kaltham Al-Ghanim and Lund University Center for Middle Eastern Studies director Prof Leif Stenberg in the presence of Ambassador of Sweden to Qatar H.E. Ms Ewa Polano, CAS dean Dr Eiman Mustafawi, QU Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) director Dr Darwish Al Emadi, and CAS associate deans for Outreach and Engagement Dr Khalifa Al Hazaa and for Research and Graduate Affairs Dr Mohamed Ahmedna, as well as CAS faculty and staff.

The agreement aims to promote research in the field of humanities and social sciences in Qatar and the region, and to develop academic exchanges in the field of education, training and other activities that contribute to the promotion of cultural exchanges between QU and Lund University. It also includes joint research projects related to epigraphy, languages, and cultures of Arabia; joint conferences, seminars and workshops; training for research assistants or co-researchers; and student exchange programs.

Ambassador Polano congratulated QU for topping the Times Higher Education’s list of the world’s most international universities 2016, adding, “this agreement does not only reflect the interest of Lund University in developing bilateral relations between the two countries but it reflects the interest of the government and the people of Sweden as well.” She hoped that this agreement is the beginning of a series of fruitful cooperation between both institutions.

Dr Mustafawi said: “The MoU signed today between the Center for Humanities and Social Sciences at the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center of Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe, embodies CAS drive to enrich interdisciplinary research in the field of humanities and social studies in Qatar and the region.” She noted that this agreement will develop academic exchange in the field of education, training, research and other activities that contribute to the advancement of knowledge on both sides.

Dr Al-Ghanim said: “This MoU will open many fields of cooperation in the future and will be an opportunity for researchers whether professors or students at Qatar University to cooperate with their counterparts at Lund University. It will also allow the Center of Humanities and Social Sciences to be a channel for the exchange process and the promotion of knowledge and research expertise between the two universities.” Prof Stenberg said: “We are honored to have such agreement with QU and we will have further discussions to develop common research projects.” He added that Lund University is the most popular Scandinavian university noting that it has 600 agreements with different institutions around the world.