QU hosts world universities conference

Qatar University (QU) is hosting the International Association of Universities (IAU) 2023 Conference under the theme Higher Education with Impact: The Importance of Intercultural Learning and Dialogue.
The three-day event, which concludes Monday, features more than 100 university leaders and 40 speakers, to explore how universities around the world promote and support intercultural learning and dialogue, the impact geopolitics is having on this goal, and the broader implications it has for the society.
The three main plenary sessions are on The Intercultural Imperative in a De-globalising World, Opening Knowledge for Humanity in an Interconnected World, and The Impact of Geopolitics on the Future of International Co-operation, in addition to a number of breakout sessions.
During the opening, QU president Dr Omar al-Ansari said: “Our efforts to foster intercultural learning and competence is not only limited to how we view others.”
“In fact, we believe evolving as individuals is necessary for understanding them and is important to leading change and creating impact on a greater scale,” he said.
Professor Andrew Deeks, vice-chancellor and president of Australia’s Murdoch University, pointed out in his speech that the IAU was established in 1950 under the auspices of Unesco as part of the UN effort to promote peace in the aftermath of World War II, in a worldwide effort to ensure that the world is never at war again.
“In this context, the theme of today’s this year’s conference is more important than ever and all universities should be part of the IAU,” Deeks said. “It’s one way that we can show that we are united, that we are committed together as universities to promoting peace, to promoting a sustainable future and to promoting people working closely together once again.”
On the sidelines of the conference, the Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) Cluster will convene to exchange on good practices and strategic approaches for UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the member universities.
Launched in 2018, the IAU Cluster on HESD promotes the role of higher education institutions in building more sustainable societies.
It is a consortium of IAU member universities working in collaboration to develop existing and new initiatives to achieve the SDGs adopted by all UN Member States in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The HESD cluster encourages a holistic approach to the SDGs, promoting the whole institution approach, where institutions aim to embed sustainable development in their strategic planning, academic and organisational work.
To inaugurate the conference, a gala dinner was held for participants at the Museum of Islamic Art, the night preceding the opening ceremony, during which HE the Shura Council Deputy Speaker Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti discussed Qatar’s efforts in supporting education locally and internationally, and its support for other countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development.
“Qatar plays a role in enhancing dialogue between cultures and civilisations, achieving reconciliations, and resolving conflicts,” said HE Dr al-Sulaiti. “Since joining the United Nations in 1971, Qatar has embodied its political and developmental approach in its relations with the United Nations and its member states, supporting the organisation’s goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.”