Tribune News Network
Doha
Chairperson of Qatar Museums HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani engaged students and graduates of Qatar Foundation partner Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) in a vibrant discussion about their vital role as key stakeholders in the continued growth and success of Qatar Museums through their rigorous research and study of politics, economics, history and culture.
In a conversation moderated by Dean of GU-Q Dr Safwan Masri and held in the university’s library, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa commended the dean for his efforts in integrating museums into the university’s curriculum, particularly highlighting a collaborative class with Qatar Museums titled ‘Theorizing Art in Qatar’, which took place at different museums in Qatar each week.
Alumni and students shared their research projects about cultural diplomacy and art history and were encouraged by HE Sheikha Al Mayassa to share their findings and participate in connecting the dots between cultural institutions, society, the private sector and educational institutions in order to fully transform Qatar into a knowledge society.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa also discussed the purpose and vision behind the evolution of Qatar’s museums, spanning three distinct phases over the past 25 years. She noted that the first phase focused on heritage and identity, with the establishment of the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and the National Museum of Qatar.
The second phase concentrated on social development, marked by the recent inauguration of the Sports Museum and the upcoming launch of the DADU Children’s Museum. Finally, the third and final phase will highlight global outreach, featuring the Lusail Museum, the Qatar Auto Museum, and other institutions.
In her concluding words, HE Sheikha Al Mayassa encouraged students to think of museums as hubs of learning not just about Qatar, but the world and its interconnections through art, artifacts and the human experiences they invoke.