Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) mission to facilitate positive transformation at home while having a global and regional impact has been boosted following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Istanbul University.

Signed on September 20, both parties will co-develop a range of activities for the mutual benefit of each institution. These include collaborative research projects and studies, joint contributions to academic and scientific publications, and the exchange of other scholarly documents. The MoU also paves the way for joint extracurricular activities in academic and scientific fields, such as certificate courses, conferences and symposia. In an effort to encourage partner-driven cooperation, both parties will regularly exchange research and teaching staff.

Graduate and undergraduate students are also set to benefit from closer ties between HBKU and Istanbul University. Beyond relevant exchange programs, the MoU makes provisions for joint curricular activities in education and teaching, such as summer schools and diploma programs. There will also be opportunities for doctoral students to collaborate with counterparts, up to and including the writing of a co-supervised doctoral thesis.

Speaking after the signing, Dr. Emad El-Din Shahin, Interim Provost, and Dean, College of Islamic Studies, said: “This MoU opens a new chapter in our relations with Istanbul University, an institution that identifies with our vision to be an innovation-based university focussed on solving shared critical challenges. The scope and ambition of this five-year agreement is far-reaching and designed to benefit faculty and students in equal measure. From mutual exchanges of knowledge to research collaboration, and much more, we’re determined to nurture future generations of entrepreneurs and leaders to give further impetus to Qatar’s and Turkey’s knowledge-based economies and societies. We’re looking forward to getting the journey started.”

Prof. Dr. Mahmut AK, Rector of Istanbul University, said: “As Qatar and Turkey are bound by a friendship based on shared values and likemindedness, the agreement between HBKU and Istanbul University would be a major step in increasing the prosperity of our people. We have not only advanced cooperation across the full spectrum of our bilateral relationship, but also deepened our engagement in the pursuit of science and technology, innovation and higher education to empower our countries in addressing global challenges. I firmly believe the close relations and friendship which unite our two countries will continue to be strengthened. We look forward to working together in fostering Qatar-Turkey bilateral cooperation.”

For more information on the work of the College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, please visit cis.hbku.edu.qa.