Doha, Qatar: Northwestern University in Qatar has announced Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Dr. Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari as the 2026 Graduation Speaker.
A leading voice in regional diplomacy and global public communication, Dr. Al-Ansari will address the graduating class at this year’s ceremony on May 4, 2026. Appointed to his current role in 2022, Dr. Al-Ansari has played a central part in shaping and communicating Qatar’s foreign policy narrative to international audiences. Through regular media briefings, high-level engagements, and global outreach, he has become a key figure in articulating the country’s diplomatic positions and fostering dialogue across political, academic, and media spheres.
His work sits at the intersection of communication, policy, and international affairs, closely aligned with Northwestern Qatar’s focus on media, communication, and global engagement.
“Dr. Al-Ansari’s work exemplifies the power of communication in shaping global understanding and advancing dialogue,” said dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar, Marwan M. Kraidy. “His leadership and experience offer our graduates a compelling perspective on how media, policy, and public engagement come together in moments that matter.”
In joining this year’s graduation ceremony, Dr. Al-Ansari said, “It’s a privilege to join Northwestern Qatar’s Class of 2026 at such a meaningful moment. As we live in a world ridden with conflict, the significance of truth, and those who protect it and seek it as communicators and journalists, increases. I look forward to celebrating this milestone with you and reflecting on the impact you can have in fostering understanding and connection.”
Before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Al-Ansari served as Director of Policy at the Institute of Social and Economic Survey Research at Qatar University, where he also held a faculty position in the Department of International Affairs. His academic and policy work has consistently focused on regional dynamics in the Gulf and the broader Middle East, with particular attention to foreign policy, conflict resolution, and humanitarian issues.
He began his career in 2005 as a researcher in international relations at the office of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, later taking on roles across civil society institutions. In parallel, he established and now leads the Center for International Policy Research, which provides analysis and advisory services on political risk, diplomacy, and regional developments.
Dr. Al-Ansari holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Leeds, and a master’s and PhD in social change from the University of Manchester.
