Universities discuss collaboration at Qatar Museums-Education City event

Qatar Museums, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation partner universities in Education City, took part in the inaugural orientation session of the Art, Culture, and Heritage Programme, marking the start of a series of gatherings aimed at fostering discussions and collaborations in research and academic initiatives at the intersection of art and education.Held on the campus of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), the inaugural event began with a welcome from HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and Dr Safwan Masri, dean of GU-Q.In his welcome address, the dean highlighted the participants’ shared human development mission. "In Qatar, we are fortunate to have a highly engaging and engaged artistic environment as well as a plethora of superb educational institutions and resources. And when art and education meet, exciting opportunities emerge, revitalising not just the art world, but also adding a valuable new dimension to teaching and learning. The effects of this convergence reverberate far beyond both spheres, encouraging inclusive participation, enhancing personal and professional growth, and inspiring a desire for lifelong learning.”The programme was facilitated by undergraduate student and international debating champion Moza al-Hajri, who also moderated the final EC alumni panel discussion.The first panel featured representatives from Qatar Museums who shed light on the diverse art and cultural offerings provided by the participating institutions.Panelists included Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Thani, director of the National Museum of Qatar, Zeina Arida, director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Dr Tara Desjardins, curator of South Asia at the Museum of Islamic Art, Essa al-Mannai, director of Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, Abdullatif al-Jasmi, director of Cultural Heritage Protection, Sheikha Reem al-Thani, acting deputy CEO of Exhibitions, Public Art and Publications, and Fatma Hassan al-Remaihi, CEO of Doha Film Institute.Faculty from Education City campuses shared examples of effective integration of cultural and art resources in research and in academic course design and delivery. Panelists included Dr Julie Boeri, associate professor, MA in Translation Studies, HBKU College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Astrid Kensinger, chair of Graphic Design, VCUarts Qatar, Dr Holiday Powers, assistant professor, Art History, VCUarts Qatar, Dr Zachary Wright, associate dean and professor in residence, Liberal Arts Programme, Northwestern University in Qatar, Rana Kazkaz, associate professor in residence, Communication Programme, Northwestern Qatar, and Dr Rogaia Abusharaf, professor, anthropology, and Dr Firat Oruc, associate professor, culture and politics, both from GU-Q.Rounding out the discussion, a panel of Education City alumni, now contributing to various cultural entities in Qatar, discussed their professional journeys. The panel included Ameni Abida (GU-Q, UCL-Q), exhibitions coordinator at the Auto Museum, Amal Ali (NU-Q), exhibitions coordinator, Fire Station Artist in Residence, Bouthayna al-Muftah (VCU-Q), artist, Aleesha Suleman (GU-Q), exhibition projects coordinator, QM, AlJazi AlThani (VCU-Q), acting head of exhibition design, QM, and Nouf AlThani (GU-Q), head of strategic insights at the chairperson’s office, QM and adjunct instructor, GU-Q.