Like her fellow Qataris, Reem Al-Hababi is rightly proud of the incredible social, economic, and technological progress the country and wider region has made in a relatively short period of time. She is nevertheless cognizant that Qatar’s continued success, both at home and abroad, is vulnerable to a world of shared challenges. What’s required, according to the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) alumna, are sustainable responses that enhance the livelihoods of people, protect a fragile environment, and encourage fairer economic development. 

Reem’s conviction that public policy should be integral to all efforts to tackle global crises is hardly surprising. Having studied for a bachelor’s degree in Policy, Planning, and Development at Qatar University, she was keen to deepen her knowledge in this subject and saw HBKU’s College of Public Policy (CPP) as the perfect place to do so. As one of the few institutions in the region to offer a master’s program in public policy, the CPP provides students with the skills required to enrich policy making within Qatar and further afield. HBKU’s growing reputation as a leading research-driven university was also a strong motivating factor behind her application.

From day one, Reem was encouraged by faculty and support staff to fully immerse herself in HBKU’s rich and diverse campus life. Beyond attending seminars, talks and workshops, the CPP also provided opportunities for participation in activities that complemented her academic and professional development. These included supporting research projects, assisting in the development of journal articles and papers, and attending conferences. In the case of the latter, Reem’s contribution to Doha Forum 2021 proved to be particularly influential. 

Due to the CPP’s close relations with the Forum’s organizers and various partners, Reem worked with the US think tank the Stimson Center to research and develop Build Back Better and Greener, the key findings of which were presented to participants. The experience was rewarding on a number of levels. Reem and her colleagues were directly exposed to how policy think tanks conduct research activities. The project was also an opportunity to sharpen research skills and analyze issues that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as established concerns such as climate change and rising food insecurity.

Upon completing her studies with HBKU, Reem returned to Qatar University and enrolled on its PhD in Gulf Studies program. In doing so, she hopes to contribute to research that addresses the challenges Qatar and the region faces, especially those that impact sustainable approaches to social and economic development. Reem has also maintained ties with CPP colleagues, including Dr. Leslie A. Pal, Founding Dean, and Dr. Logan Cochrane, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. This has resulted in the co-authorship of conference papers, journal articles, book chapters, and the book Sustainable Qatar, which addresses the future of sustainability within the country and offers relevant policy recommendations. 

Reem is immensely grateful for the learning and professional development opportunities that HBKU and the CPP provided her and fellow students. This extended to supporting PhD applications with letters of recommendation and advising on appropriate institutions and programs. Together with her collaboration with faculty members, she’s confident that this support will help her fulfill her ambition of contributing to Qatar’s knowledge base, as well as the wider public policy research community. 

Like so many of HBKU’s growing alumni community, Reem is happy to provide practical advice to anybody interested in pursuing graduate studies at this rapidly evolving university. As she sees it, it’s vitally important that new students balance finding the right program by exploring and engaging in activities that support their studies and deepen their knowledge. Complement this by making use of HBKU’s facilities, including those beyond the classroom. Challenge yourself and enjoy the experience.

This article was originally published in Arabic by Al Arab, and can be accessed here.