​Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and Hamad Bin Khalifa University's (HBKU) College of Islamic Studies (CIS) have signed a bilateral agreement to step up mutual cooperation, through exchange/utilization of available experience and resources towards sustainable and effective activities within the humanitarian mandates of both parties, including the promotion of community safety and human dignity as implied by QRCS's slogan of Saving Lives and Preserving Dignity.

At the headquarters of QRCS, the agreement was signed by Ali bin Hassan Al-Hammadi, Secretary-General of QRCS, and Dr. Emad El-Din Shahin, Dean of CIS.

The signing ceremony was attended by Muna Fadel Al-Sulaiti, Executive Director of Volunteering and Local Development Division at QRCS, Dr. Fawzi Oussedik, Head of International Relations and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) at QRCS, Dr. Hussam Ahmed Makki, Legal Advisor at QRCS, Dr. Mustafa Osman Elamin, Professor of Islam and Global Affairs at CIS, Sara Abo Hassan, Research Fellow at CIS, and Nawal Al-Kuwari, Protocol Officer at CIS.

Mr. Al-Hammadi valued the partnership with HBKU, as “humanitarian action requires the combined efforts of everyone across sectors, including education and scientific research".

“I am proud of this constructive cooperation between two prestigious institutions that share the same goal of working in the best interest of people, whether in academia or in charitable action," said Mr. Al-Hammadi. “I hope this strategic partnership would pay off, ensuring respect for human dignity by supporting people to be active individuals who contribute to their own communities".

He commended this move, which would enable the students and faculty of HBKU to acquire basic skills for their own benefit as well as that of others. As an internationally recognized humanitarian organization and an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian and social efforts both locally and globally, QRCS will hold lectures and courses on principles of IHL, risk management, disaster response, and other areas of specialization.

Dr. Shahin stated, “This agreement lays the solid foundations for cooperation with QRCS. They can capitalize on our academic, research, and other aspects of expertise to enhance their humanitarian and charitable activities. Our programs, including the Master of Arts in Islam and Global Affairs, and research activities/internships co-implemented with our local and international partners are the direct outcomes of the new system created by Qatar to achieve the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030. I look forward to putting this memorandum of understanding (MoU) into effect, in order to help facilitate and enrich the country's humanitarian sector".

The agreement is aimed at bringing the two sides together to publicize Qatar's humanitarian efforts at the government and public levels. Under the agreement, they will coordinate joint programs in the fields of education, child and family support, services for expatriate workers, and promotion of voluntary/humanitarian work among the university community.

Among the activities to be carried out by QRCS and HBKU are: supporting development programs focused on health and education; organizing specialized conferences, seminars, and workshops related to humanitarian action; working together on scientific, humanitarian, IHL, and other relevant fields of research; and installing smart donation collection boxes around the campus.

Moreover, the three-year agreement covers knowledge building, exchange of cultural/academic production (books, magazines, publications, information, etc.), advising for each other; and contribution to projects and research studies or mutual interest.