President’s Message

Hoor Al Qasimi

President, Global Studies University

As President of Global Studies University (GSU), I wish to warmly welcome our graduate students to the university. In this occasion of launching of our pioneering graduate program, I look back with immense pride on the journey that has led to the establishment of this unique institution. Our roots trace back to the historic 1976 symposium on African and Arab relations, held under the visionary leadership of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. That moment of cross-cultural dialogue planted the seeds for a broader vision of academic collaboration, which was officially realized in 2023 with the issuance of the Emiri decree establishing GSU.

GSU embodies this long-standing vision as a globally oriented network of interdisciplinary institutes. Each institute is dedicated to exploring regions often overlooked in traditional academic settings. The Africa Institute, established in 2018 was the first of these institutes, focuses on African and African diaspora studies. With the upcoming launch of The Asia Institute in 2025 and the Oceania Institute soon after, we are expanding our academic horizons to include other critical regions including Europe and the Americas.

Our mission is to serve as a globally recognized interdisciplinary hub for critical engagement in global studies within the arts, humanities, and social sciences. We aim to produce new knowledge and nurture the next generation of critical thinkers who are equipped to address global complexities and interconnectedness. Uniquely situated in the Gulf region, GSU seeks to transcend traditional area studies by pioneering interconnected and interdisciplinary paradigms that redefine global studies.

Our Sharjah campus reflects the city’s growing role as a regional cultural and educational hub and serves as a dynamic space for intellectual exchange. As we expand to our future campus, which is in the stage of initial plans for a first-class architectural design, the new spaces to be built will continue to embody our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary learning. Together, we are shaping the future of education and research. I invite students, scholars, and partners to join us on this exciting journey as we push the boundaries of knowledge and global understanding by launching our unique and cutting-edge graduate programs.