Photo courtesy of Gulf News
“Sharjah Ruler establishes Global Studies University; The Global Studies University was established under Emiri Decree No. (57) of 2023”
February 04, 2025
Sharjah: His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Tuesday announced the establishment of Global Studies University, a newly launched academic institution aimed at advancing multidisciplinary education and research. The announcement came during a reception ceremony on Tuesday morning welcoming the university’s first cohort of master’s students enrolled in the Global African Studies Program. The event, held in Sharjah, was attended by senior officials, academics, and university leaders
Professor Chika Okeke-Agulu (far right) attends ceremony welcoming the first cohort of master’s students enrolled in the Global Studies University Global African Studies Program (Photo courtesy of Gulf News)
The Global Studies University was established under Emiri Decree No. (57) of 2023, issued by Sheikh Sultan on September 14, 2023. The decree designates the institution as a non-profit Arab academic institution, granting it full legal, financial, and administrative independence to fulfill its mission. The university will comprise specialized colleges and institutes, including:
- The College of African Studies and the Africa Institute
- The College of Asian Studies and the Asia Institute
- The College of European Studies and the Europe Institute
The decree also grants the university the flexibility to expand by adding new specialized colleges and institutes in the future. Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi has been appointed as the university's president.
The university’s Board of Trustees, formed under Administrative Resolution No. (1) of 2025, will be chaired by Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Global Studies University in Sharjah, and will include leading global scholars, economists, and industry experts. Among its members are:
- Dr. Salah Mohamed Hassan, Chancellor of Global Studies University and Dean of the Africa Institute
- Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority
- Dr. Chika Okeke-Agulu, Professor of Art and Archaeology at Princeton University
- Dr. Manthia Diawara, Professor of Comparative Literature and Cinema Studies at New York University
- Osama Daoud Abdellatif, Chairman of DAL Group and Invictus Investment Co.