UNHCR, Hamad Bin Khalifa University renew their partnership on refugee advocacy
UNHCR, Hamad Bin Khalifa University renew their partnership on refugee advocacy
Ahmed Mohsen, UNHCR Representative to the State of Qatar (left), and Dr. Recep Şentürk, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies (right) at the signing of the renewed MoU between UNHCR and HBKU in Doha.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), first signed in October 2019, reinforcing their joint commitment to raising awareness and advocating for the rights and well-being of refugees and forcibly displaced persons globally.
The latest MoU aims to build on previous cooperation in research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building, while promoting humanitarian values through collaborative initiatives, academic engagement, and public outreach throughout the academic year.
The MoU was signed in Doha by Ahmed Mohsen, UNHCR Representative to the State of Qatar, and Dr. Recep Şentürk, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies, representing Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
On the occasion, Ahmed Mohsen stated: “Academic institutions are essential partners in UNHCR’s efforts to promote greater understanding of displacement issues. Our collaboration with HBKU continues to serve as a platform for thoughtful dialogue, student engagement, and joint advocacy. We are proud of the work accomplished so far and look forward to further expanding opportunities to deepen knowledge and foster solidarity with refugees among students and the wider public in Qatar.”
On his part, Dr. Recep Şentürk stated: “Our renewed partnership with UNHCR aligns with HBKU’s commitment to social impact through academic excellence. Together, we aim to inspire critical thinking, drive evidence-based research, and engage our community in shaping innovative responses to global challenges such as displacement, climate change, and philanthropy in humanitarian contexts.”
This recent MoU builds on a series of successful joint initiatives, including the Maker Majlis events led by HBKU’s College of Islamic Studies in commemoration of World Refugee Day in 2021 and 2023, as well as raising awareness through the ‘Special Topics in Islam and Global Affairs: Refugees’ Masters course, which featured expert guest lectures from UNHCR and in-depth discussions on forced displacement. The renewed MoU reflects the shared belief in the importance of education, research, and youth engagement in addressing global displacement crises.
Khaled Kabbara
Communications Officer - GCC Countries
[email protected]
