Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Public Policy (CPP) recently inaugurated the first chapter of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration’s (NASPAA) Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) honor society in the Gulf region.

Starting in September 2023, CPP will induct eligible students enrolled in the Master of Public Policy and Master of Social Policy and Program Evaluation into PAA annually. Candidates must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.67 out of 4 with half or more of their degree credits completed.

PAA is the foremost global honor society in the fields of public affairs and administration, with more than 160 chapters located around the world. It seeks to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs, administration, and related public service fields, while promoting the advancement of quality in the education and practice in public service.

“Hosting the first PAA chapter in the Gulf region is an important step in our efforts to cement our reputation as a world-leading public policy school. Doing so also grants eligible students international recognition for displaying academic excellence in the fields of public affairs and administration. I would like to thank Kim Moloney, Assistant Professor, for taking on the role of PAA Chapter Advisor and two of our students, Muhammad Mubashir Ehsan and Muhammad Abdur Rehman, for their efforts in making this achievement possible,” said Leslie A. Pal, Dean, CPP.

HBKU’s CPP aims to become one of the leading public policy schools in the region and the world and a center for teaching and researching responses to policy questions of local and global relevance. The College actively leverages local and transnational synergies and collaborations with distinguished international partners in the government, non-government, corporate, and organizational sectors, transcending borders to facilitate expertise and build capacity in Qatar and beyond.