His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended a reception ceremony welcoming the first group of master’s students who have enrolled at the University of Global Studies, located in Sharjah.
His Highness announced the establishment of a university and the enrollment of the first cohort of students in the Global African Studies Program. The establishment of the Global Studies University as an academic institution in Sharjah has been announced. The first group of male and female students has begun their studies at the university. The university aims to contribute to the pursuit of beneficial knowledge.
Sheikha Hoor delivered a speech welcoming His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees at the launch of the university study project, highlighting its significance in reflecting Sharjah's cultural and scientific role globally. She noted the importance of the Africa Hall, which has historically represented a combination of place and status, vision and achievement. Since its establishment in 1976, the hall has served as an incubator for the Sharjah cultural project, initiated by the Ruler of Sharjah, who has outlined its vision and direction. Sheikha Hoor emphasized the continuity of following these initiatives and the pursuit of wisdom in establishing various scientific, cognitive, and cultural pillars, all connected to the broader cultural and humanitarian project of Sharjah.
Sheikha Hoor presented an overview of the initial concept for the Global Studies University, which was developed through extensive studies and research aimed at illustrating the significance of Arab-African relations. She referred to a pivotal moment marked by the opening of the Africa Hall, which also hosted the "Arab-African Relations Symposium." The recommendations from this symposium included the establishment of an Arab-African center for documentation, data collection, and information related to Arab-African relations, proposed to be based in Sharjah. This recommendation is recognized as the foundational element for the Africa Institute, which was established by an Emiri decree on June 6, 2018, and serves as the inaugural institution within the Global Studies University, founded by an Emiri decree in 2023.
At the end of her speech, Sheikha Hoor welcomed the first batch of Master’s students in Global African Studies from all over the world, including Africa and the Arab world, noting that the university will provide everything that will pave their way to a promising future. In her address to the students, she stated, “This ancient edifice is intended to be a source of inspiration for you, as it has historically served as a source of inspiration for others.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah welcomed the first group of students from the Global African Studies Program. His Highness expressed his hopes for their success in their educational journeys and took a memorable photo with them to celebrate the occasion. The students, in turn, expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Ruler for his generous support of education and for giving them the chance to pursue their studies in a variety of subjects and research areas.