Doha: The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding on Monday, with the event attended by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Dr. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, DI Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Azmi Bishara, and board members.
According to Qatar News Agency, the two-day anniversary program highlights DI's dedication to academic excellence and research, uniting scholars and experts worldwide for discussions on the future of higher education.
Dr. Abdelwahab El Affendi, President of DI, expressed pride in the institute's achievements over the past decade. He explained that the institute was conceived in 2011 to create a graduate-level academic institution that combines global standards with an Arab identity. El Affendi attributed the institute's rapid rise as a regional academic leader to its collaboration with the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and its success in attracting top-tier faculty and students.
The institute has continued to evolve despite regional challenges, refining its programs and curricula. El Affendi noted that these challenges have strengthened the institution, crediting the resilience of its academic and administrative teams and the growth of its educational and research systems. He emphasized the institute's ongoing efforts to build strong internal structures, recruit distinguished talent, enhance training, secure international accreditation, and expand partnerships within and beyond Qatar.
El Affendi concluded by noting the institute's status as a global destination for students and researchers. He highlighted a significant increase in student enrollment this academic year, which reflects Qatar's vision to support education and research and elevate Arab contributions to global knowledge.
The anniversary program's opening session, "Knowledge Exchange and Higher Education in a Changing World," moderated by Dr. Amal Ghazal, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, featured discussions by international scholars on the challenges facing higher education and strategies for institutional collaboration amid global shifts. The second session, "Rethinking Graduate Studies: Innovation, Governance, and Impact," led by Dr. Bassel Salloukh, Associate Dean and Head of the Political Science and International Relations Program, explored the adaptation of graduate institutions to technological changes and global crises and the role of universities in driving innovation and academic responsibility.