Doha: Qatar University (QU) yesterday hosted a visit by the Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davuto?lu during which he gave a lecture on “Turkey-Qatar Cooperation: Regional Challenges, Broader Horizons”.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by QU President Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, VPs, deans, heads of department, faculty and over 100 students. Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi, diplomatic dignitaries, heads of diplomatic missions and media representatives were present.
Prime Minister Davuto?lu expressed his pleasure in being in his second home, Qatar University and Qatar. He went on to highlight the historical context of the Qatari-Turkish relations, noting the long-standing relationship of goodwill and brotherhood that Qatar and Turkey share. He also observed the key areas of this model relationship between the two countries — politic and security dimensions, economic cooperation, humanitarian ethics, and mentality. He also stressed the importance of adopting a new approach in the education system to address the multidimensional challenges in the region, and to shape a new generation which voices the values of Islam such as tolerance, fairness and mutual respect.
Dr Davuto?lu also spoke about the issues ongoing in the region touching on Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Syria and Yemen, and the status of refugees fleeing to Turkey. Students fielded questions on issues related to Syrian refugees in Turkey, terrorist movements in the region, among others.
On the sideline of his visit, an agreement was signed between QU president Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham and Istanbul University (IU) rector Prof Dr Mahmut AK to establish collaboration in education and research. The terms of the agreement include collaboration on doctoral student exchange and co-supervised doctoral theses, the exchange of students, researchers and faculty as well as academic publications and scholarly documents. Both institutions will also cooperate on establishing research projects and studies, and joint curricular and extra-curricular activities.
In his welcome remarks, Dr Al-Derham spoke of the eagerness with which the Prime Minister’s visit was awaited by QU members, coming a few months after that of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an who also gave a lecture. “You are well aware of the breadth of the relationship of brotherhood between Qatar and Turkey, which is strengthened by leaders of both countries and which reflects the thinking of our respective peoples who are eager for more constructive and strategic cooperation in economic and political fields. The relationship between both countries is an expansion of the history they share over the years, and is currently at its peak.
We look in admiration and appreciation of the success of the Turkish experience in all fields, and take it as a model at the regional and international level. Today’s lecture “Turkey-Qatar Cooperation: Regional Challenges, Broader Horizons” will discuss the key issues and ideas on the relationship between the two countries and their communities, and will undoubtedly contribute to strengthening relations.
Dr Al Derham said that it was important that students in Qatar recognise the Turkish culture, through learning the language, and also from the efforts of the Anatolian Club at QU, which reflects the pulse of Turkey’s young people. “In turn, we are pleased at the deepening interest of Turkish students to learn the Arabic language which is the language of Islam, and also to acquaint themselves with Qatari customs and traditions, which resemble Turkish values in many respects”, he said.
The Peninsula
