Qatar University to develop Counter-Terrorist Financing Training Program with Boston University School of Law

Collage of Law at Qatar University (QU) entered into an agreement with Boston University School of Law (BU) to develop a Counter-Terrorist Financing Training Program, an intensive one-week course designed to enhance the capacity of Qatar’s legal professionals and government officials to combat the global threat of terrorist financing. 

His Excellency Sheikh Meshal Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State of Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States, said,“Qatar is a leader in regional and global efforts to counter terror financing and defeat extremism. We look forward to enhancing the capabilities of our professionals through this unique training program. Qatar has partnerships with leading American universities and we are pleased to now include Boston University School of Law among these partners.”

Dr. Hassan Al-Derham, President of Qatar University, said, “In our world today, it is vital to raise awareness about the issues of financing terrorism, which is one of the biggest threats facing the international community, and threatens global peace and security. This is why Qatar University, through the Collage of Law, focuses on raising legal awareness among its students and the community on issues of financial crime, including countering terrorism financing and money laundering. We are pleased to collaborate with Boston University through this program that am sure will prepare a distinguished generation of Qatari law experts capable of serving the country in various legal fields.”

Angela Onwuachi-Willig, BU Law’s dean said, “The laundering of illicit funds to finance terrorism poses one of the gravest threats to national security and a partnership with Qatar University College of Law to develop a customized training program gives us a unique opportunity to support the country’s efforts to fight terrorist financing.” Sheikh Meshal Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States, and Dr. Mohamed Abdulaziz Al-Khulafi, Dean of Qatar University College of Law, joined Boston University Provost, Dr. Jean Morrison, and Dean Onwuachi-Willig at the signing ceremony at the law school.

The counter-terrorist financing course will address the training needs of Qatar’s public prosecutors, ministries’ officials, and financial services professionals charged with detecting and disrupting illicit financing schemes.  BU faculty with expertise in national security, anti-money laundering, Fintech, cybersecurity, and financial regulation will work with Qatar University College of Law’s faculty to develop simulations and case studies based on real-world threats. “We share with Qatar a commitment to defeating terrorist activities funded through the exploitation of financial technology,” says Onwuachi-Willig.   “We are excited about establishing this unique partnership with the Qatar University College of Law.  There is so much to be done to secure our nations, and I see this course as an important first step in a developing a collaborative model that can make a major difference in the global fight against terrorist financing.”

Anticipated instructors include faculty from the Boston University School of Law’s Graduate Program in Banking and Financial Law with expertise in fighting financial cybercrime, as well as experts affiliated with the University’s Harari Institute for Computing, the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, and the Cyber Security, Law, and Society Alliance. In addition to BU Law instructors, the program plans to feature experts from the US Department of Treasury, US Department of State, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who will share best practices in building and prosecuting counter-terrorist financing legal cases.  The initial program will take place in Boston in late fall or early spring with additional programs slated for spring and summer 2019.