Doha: The Student Activities Department at Qatar University (QU) hosted a delegation of 14 students and one supervisor from the Students’ International Communication Association (SICA) at Peking University (PKU).
Organised in conjunction with the Chinese embassy and Qatar Museums (QM), the visit was part of Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture exchange programme launched by the Ministry of Culture and Sport and QMA to strengthen cultural ties between both countries. It was also in line with the establishment of a partnership between QU and PKU in 2014 which included the launch of a Qatar Chair in Middle East Studies at PKU.
The delegation was joined by 10 QU students from colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business & Economics (CBE), and Law (LAWC).
They attended lectures by Dr Imad Mansour, Assistant Professor of International Affairs, QU; Dr Larbi Sadiki, Professor of Political Science; and Dr Haydar Badawi Sadig, Associate Professor of Mass Communication, and discussed issues related to international relations between the GCC and China, media in the Arab world and Qatar’s history and social aspects.
The delegation also attended a workshop on Arabic calligraphy at Museum of Islamic Art and visited landmarks such as Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, Education City, Musheireb Museums, the embassy and Brookings Doha Center.
Participation certificates were given to the students at a closing ceremony, in the presence of Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President, QU, Chinese Ambassador Li Chen and members of QU community.
Dr Khalid Al Khanji, Vice-President, Student Affairs, QU, said: “We are pleased to bring students from Qatar and China together to foster better understanding of each country’s culture, history, language and society. Both countries boast rich traditions and a vibrant cultural heritage, and the students are the fitting ambassadors to contribute to strengthening ties of goodwill, respect and friendship celebrating Qatar-China relations this year.”
Mohammed Al Othman, Director, Public and International Relations, QMA, said: “It is our pleasure to be working in partnership with QU and PKU to bring together students from Qatar and China and facilitate learning, understanding and communication between the youth of our two great nations as part of Qatar China 2016 Year of Culture.”
Lulwa Almalki, fourth-year undergraduate finance student at CBE, said: “It was a great opportunity to represent Qatar and QU and share with our visitors the beauty of the Qatari culture. I was pleased to learn about Chinese culture and get a better understanding of Chinese traditions.”
Xiao Yida, first-year undergraduate Arabic language student from PKU School of Foreign Languages, said: “I was pleased to be part of these activities in this multicultural programme which brings together students from various specialities from universities in China and the Arab world.”
