DI signs MoU, agreement with Sciences Po University

The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) and an agreement for exchange of students and teaching staff with the French University Sciences Po on Wednesday. The MoU ensures commitment from the two parties to co-operate in all academic fields in order to achieve common goals in the production and dissemination of science, and improve the educational environment for their students, a statement said yesterday.The agreement added practical steps on student exchange mechanisms, involving professors from the two universities in the teaching process, and discussing joint research projects. The MoU was signed by Dr Mathias Vicherat, president of Sciences Po, and Dr Abdelwahab El Affendi, president and provost of the DI. Dr Vicherat described the agreement as a first-of-its-kind for his university. He talked about the common interest in excellence in social sciences and worldview between both parties, in addition to the various fields of collaboration that both institutions will work hard to invest in.Dr El Affendi expressed DI's pleasure in signing the MoU and agreement with a university considered as the most prominent in France in the field of social sciences. The consultations began in Paris last May in a meeting between Dr Vicherat and DI chairman Dr Azmi Bishara and Dr El Affendi. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr Bishara, Sciences Po's vice president of International Relations Dr Vanessa Scherrer, French ambassador to Qatar Jean-Baptiste Faivre and other officials from the French embassy and the DI.The French Embassy had organised a celebration at the ambassador’s residence on Tuesday to mark the 150th anniversary of Sciences Po University, the statement added.