Qatar University (QU) has attracted some of the world’s experts in Gulf politics, history and sociology to headline its expanding Masters programme in Gulf Studies.

Now in its second year, the interdisciplinary MA course at Qatar’s national university offers this unique experience as the only one of its kind in the Middle East – and one of just two in the world.

Covering the Gulf states, Iraq and Iran, students investigate politics, economics, history, literature, international relations, security, the energy industry, ecology and culture which can lead them to employment in a range of spheres, from media to peace and security and NGOs.

The wide appeal of the programme is reflected in the multinational cohort of its students – with intake expected to grow to around 20 students by the start of September 2013.

New faculty who will further enhance the profile of the two-year programme include Dr. Khaled S Almezaini, a research Fellow at the University of Exeter’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies who is currently researching identity and regime survival in the Gulf countries, with particular reference to the UAE. He will teach international relations of the Gulf.

Visiting academics will include Prof. AbdulKhaleq Abdulla, a professor of political science at Emirates University, Dr Baqer Al Najjar, professor of Sociology at University of Bahrain who holds a PhD in Sociology from Durham University in the UK and Dr Abdulla Baabood from Oman, the recently-appointed director of the Gulf Studies programme at QU’s College of Arts & Sciences.

“It is a great coup for us to have attracted such renowned experts to teach at QU and we are delighted to welcome them onboard. The opportunity to work with these respected international figures in the heart of the Gulf will, I hope, be a great draw for students from across the world,” said Dr Baabood, who will teach the Political Economy of the Gulf in the Spring semester.

This new faculty from the region are supported by other QU Gulf specialists including Dr Steven Wright, Mahjoob Zweiri, Abdou Ndoye and Moneera Alghadeer. – TradeArabia News Service