College of Humanities and Social Sciences Hosts Student Delegation from Shanghai University

As part of its ongoing efforts to foster cooperation with Asia’s leading academic institutions, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently hosted a delegation of students from Shanghai University, China. 

Between November 3 and 11, eight students and an instructor from one of China’s renowned universities were in Doha for a series of talks and lectures delivered by CHSS faculty. These included Middle East Politics, Society and Economy, which considered the changing social, economic and political dynamics of Qatar and the wider Middle East over the past two decades. This week-long course consisted of lectures, fieldwork and visits to Qatari government agencies, historical sites and other universities. The course provided participants with a basic overview of Islam and Muslim societies, deeper knowledge of the region’s geopolitical outlook, and more.

The visit also provided a perfect opportunity to discuss further exchange activities between CHSS and Shanghai University. These include sending a delegation from CHSS to China to partake in similar activities and study programs. HBKU anticipates further exchanges to take place in the not-too-distant future.

Speaking after the visit, Professor Hassan Hakimian, Director of Middle Eastern Studies Department at CHSS, said: “This exchange not only reflects our commitment to enhancing transformative educational experiences, but also Qatar’s ongoing determination to extend ties with China and other East Asian states. Both efforts require a deep understanding of the Middle East’s cultural and historical contexts, as well as the contemporary geopolitical context in which we operate. We’re pleased that our activities contributed to these critical insights for our visitors from Shanghai University. We look forward to building on this productive exchange of ideas and knowledge in a mutual fashion in the years ahead.”

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences regularly holds events to highlight its research activities and initiatives. For more information, please visit chss.hbku.edu.qa.