The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) will celebrate the graduation of its eighth Master's cohort on Saturday. The ceremony will honor 206 male and female graduates from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities and the School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), Executive Director of the Administrative and Financial Division at DI and Chair of the Graduation Committee, Eman Al Sulaiti, noted that the graduation ceremony is an annual tradition that is meticulously prepared well in advance, stressing that the goal is for the ceremony to be grand and reflect the institute's reputation and standing within the academic and scientific community. It should meet the administration's aspirations and, most importantly, delight the graduates.
Al Sulaiti pointed out that the graduates are distributed between the School of Social Sciences and Humanities (139 graduates) and the School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy (67 graduates), coming from Qatar and abroad.
She mentioned that with the graduation of the eighth cohort, the total number of DI alumni since its establishment will reach 1,246 graduates from more than 50 countries around the world. She indicated that a number of these graduates are continuing their doctoral studies at prestigious international universities.
DI Executive Director of the Administrative and Financial Sector also expressed DI's pride in graduating this distinguished group of students who are qualified with knowledge and expertise, pointing out that they are capable of contributing to and addressing the needs of their countries and communities, and fostering their development.
Al Sulaiti considered the graduation celebration a recognition of the achievements made in recent years across various academic, research, institutional, and organizational aspects. It highlights the institute's efforts in developing qualified personnel who can respond to the aspirations and needs of the Arab region.
She explained that the institute works on qualifying researchers who can contribute to the production of knowledge according to international standards. It educates skilled professionals with advanced skills in their specializations. It also develops leaders who are capable of responding to the needs of the Arab world in sustainable development, intellectual and social advancement.
Al Sulaiti emphasized that DI embraces the integration of teaching and learning with scientific research, while considering the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and placing students at the center of the educational process. Additionally, it provides academic freedom to its members, with a strong emphasis on the values of integrity and professionalism.
Eman Al Sulaiti spoke to QNA about the development witnessed by the institute since its establishment in 2015 as an independent institution for graduate studies. She explained that this academic institution began with a limited number of programs, facilities, and departments. Today, however, it is experiencing significant expansion and a qualitative increase in its academic programs that cater to the needs of the state and the region in general, while responding to international challenges.
She highlighted the increase in the number of service facilities at the institute and the development of its infrastructure, which serves all students, researchers, faculty members, and staff. This development strengthens its cooperation with other educational and community institutions in the country.
In this regard, Al Sulaiti stated that despite its short lifespan, the institute has established itself as a prestigious academic institution on both the Arab and international levels. This distinction has contributed to its qualification to obtain international accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) in the United Kingdom, becoming the first academic institution in the State of Qatar to receive institutional accreditation from this body.
She clarified that the institute offers 19 internationally accredited Master's programs in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities and the School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy. In addition, it offers eight PhD programs in various fields, which strengthens its position as a leading center for providing higher education and scientific research in the region. The institute primarily uses Arabic as the language of study and research, with English language proficiency also being a requirement.
The School of Social Sciences and Humanities, the largest in terms of specializations and student numbers, includes 14 programs. These programs cover philosophy, history, comparative literature, arabic linguistics and lexicography, political science and international relations, sociology and anthropology, media studies, journalism, psychology, clinical psychology, social work, conflict management and humanitarian action, critical security studies, and human rights.
The School of Economics, Administration and Public Policy offers master's programs in public administration, public policy, and development economics. It also offers the executive master of public administration and the executive dual master of public administration and business administration, in partnership with the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin.
In her interview with QNA, Eman Al Sulaiti emphasized the institute's commitment to attracting the most exceptional students from Qatar, the Arab world, and internationally. She explained that all students admitted to the Master's and PhD programs this year were carefully selected based on the institute's rigorous academic standards. These standards include, but are not limited to, thorough assessments of academic abilities, personal interviews with applicants, and adherence to additional requirements outlined on the DI website.
Concluding her interview with QNA, Executive Director of the Administrative and Financial Division at DI and Chair of the Graduation Committee, Eman Al Sulaiti, highlighted DI's provision of scholarships annually aimed at attracting academically qualified students from both Qatar and abroad, adding that scholarships vary between based on academic merit and based on financial need. She emphasized the importance of the state's support for the institute, stressing that this support contributes to its outstanding achievements, alongside providing an educational environment that encourages creativity, fosters freedom of thought and research, ultimately benefiting local, Arab, and global communities.
