Doha: The support networks that enrich university life for students across the region are to be strengthened through a partnership between Qatar Foundation and the International Association of Student Affairs and Services, announced during the WISE 12 Summit.
According to Qatar News Agency, the collaboration will see the creation of a new regional association to advance student affairs and services in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, which will be managed by Qatar Foundation (QF). IASAS will also support the establishment of a Certificate in Student Affairs Leadership and Practice, cultivating the capacity to provide learners with essential elements of their university experience, such as academic advice and support, study skills development, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, sports and cultural programs, career guidance, and personal counseling.
QF and IASAS will work together to organize workshops that strengthen the field of student affairs and services across the region. They will also promote dialogue and knowledge-sharing in the Global South through joint research projects and symposiums.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at WISE 12, the biennial international gathering of education expertise hosted by QF's global education initiative WISE at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Francisco Marmolejo, President of Higher Education and Education Advisor at QF, emphasized the importance of the agreement, saying: "This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important moment for Qatar Foundation and for our region. At QF, we believe that student affairs is a cornerstone of a thriving educational ecosystem, and this partnership with IASAS allows all of us to learn global best practices while sharing Qatar's knowledge and experiences with the world."
Professor Dr. Birgit Schreiber, President of IASAS, expressed pride in the partnership, stating: "IASAS is proud to formalize this partnership with Qatar Foundation that reflects our shared commitment to advancing social justice through supporting student affairs and services across the Middle East and the wider region."
Additionally, Dr. Abdulnassir S. Al Tamimi, Executive Director of Student Services within QF's Higher Education division, remarked on the significance of the collaboration: "The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding reflects Qatar Foundation's strong commitment to elevating the support and services we provide to all our students in Education City and across the wider region."
Prior to the WISE 12 Summit, QF hosted IASAS' Annual Global Student Affairs Association Leaders Meeting at Education City, bringing together presidents, executives, and senior representatives of student affairs and services associations from around the world. This meeting is a platform for building networks, discussing challenges, and sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices to advance student development and support globally.
In a keynote session, Dr. Fanta Aw, President of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, emphasized the necessity of holistic support for students amid geopolitical tensions, while Ryan McLawhon, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Academic Services at QF partner university Texas A and M University at Qatar, discussed the ongoing challenges of the post-COVID transition for students.
Dr. Al Tamimi concluded by highlighting the importance of hosting the IASAS Global Student Affairs Association Leaders Meeting in Education City, stating: "The conversations here in Doha highlighted shared challenges, strengthened global networks, and opened new opportunities and pathways for cooperation. We are proud that Qatar and QF can serve as a platform for shaping the future of student affairs in the region and worldwide."