Halifet Ayemohammed Yusuf, a first-year Master of Arts student in Global African Studies at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, presented her research at the 13th Gulf Labour Markets, Migration and Population (GLMM) Workshop in Nairobi, Kenya.
The workshop, “Africa–Gulf Migration, Mobility and Trade: Past and Present, Policy and Prospects,” took place September 9–11, 2026, as part of a broader conference held during the same period. It brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to examine the historical and contemporary ties between the two regions.
Halifet’s paper, “Narrating Africa–Gulf Connections: The Ethiopian International School in Saudi Arabia as a Geocultural Space of Education,” was selected from 40 submissions. Her research considers how migrant communities and educational institutions shape connections between Africa and the Gulf, adding a perspective on relationships often discussed through migration and economic policy.
“Presenting my research and engaging with scholars working across different dimensions of Africa–Gulf relations was a particularly fruitful and enriching academic experience,” Halifet said.
Halifet specializes in Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations. Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, she brings experience across African and Arab contexts to her research. Her background in law, human rights, Islamic ethics, teaching, and research informs her interest in how culture, language, religion, and lived experience shape diplomatic engagement beyond formal legal frameworks.
The Nairobi workshop offered Halifet an opportunity to share her work with an interdisciplinary audience and develop conversations directly related to her studies at GSU.
