QU students oriented on weapons of mass destruction

An awareness workshop on weapons of mass destruction on October 15 brought together students from Qatar University College of Law (QU-LAWC) and Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Qatar (SFS-Q). The 5^th Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness Workshop was held at QU under the patronage of Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Major General Pilot H.E. Ghanim bin Shaheen Al Ghanim. It was hosted by QU, and sponsored by the National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW).

It aimed to orient the students on Qatar’s efforts to implement and execute tasks and responsibilities emanating from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 of 2004 and various conventions regarding the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Opening the workshop, NCPW Vice-Chairman Colonel (Pilot) Mr Hassan Saleh Al-Nesf welcomed attendees who included QU VP for Student Affairs Dr Khalid Al-Khanji, LAWC associate dean for Academic Affairs Dr Yaser Khalaileh, several officials from QU, NCPW members, as well as QU faculty, staff and students.

The program agenda featured a number of sessions moderated by NCPW member Mr Abdellatif Ali Al-Abdulla. Presenters from the National Committee were: Secretary General First Lieutenant Abulaziz Hamdan Al-Ahmad, Radiation Expert Dr Salwan Kamal Aboud, and members Dr Ahmed Hassan Al Hamadi and Eng Sultan Jassem Al Mouslemani; and SFS-Q Senior Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs Dr Henrick Barth. Students learned about the goals and achievements of the National Committee, issues surrounding weapons of mass destruction, the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) of 1975, Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) of 1997, UN Security Council decision 1540 of 2004, and the measures adopted in the Conventions and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) of 1970.

In his remarks, NCPW Chairman Major General Staff (Pilot) Mr Nasser Mohammed Al-Ali said: “We believe in the necessity of cooperation and integration between universities and the National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons to cover Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) treaties along with their academic and applied aspects to reach a safe world free of these deadly weapons. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with universities and scientific research centers in the fields of training and awareness.” 

Dr Khalaileh said: “This event comes at a time when many countries are playing a crucial role in promoting disarmament conventions, and in supporting international peace and safety. It also shows the College’s mission to be at the forefront of dialogue on critical international legal issues.” Mr Al-Nesf said: “Signing a Memorandum of Understanding between NCPW and universities in Qatar is an advanced step towards training and promoting awareness among university students on the risks of weapons of mass destruction. That would be achieved by involving them in the activities for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) training as well as encouraging them to conduct research studies.”

The workshop follows up from the agreement signed between QU and NCPW on May 10, 2015 which will provide opportunities for  LAWC students to be engaged on the issue through training workshops, internships, debates, participation in conferences and other forums, and awareness campaigns.