On Monday 18th March, Senior Course 122 (SC 122) began its first Field Study. Led by NDC Commandant Lt Gen Arne Bård Dalhaug (NOR A), the group arrived in Doha for a two-day visit to the State of Qatar.
The NDC leadership was also represented by the Dean, Dr Richard D. Hooker (USA C), and by the Director of the Academic Operations Division, Brig Gen Patrick Desjardins (FRA F).
On 19th March, Course Members had a full day of briefings and discussion. The first talk was given by Staff Brigadier General Ali Rashid Al Naimi, from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Qatar. This gave Course Members an extremely valuable overview of recent transformations in the Middle East and North Africa, within the overall context of the international security environment. Focusing on the main security “hot spots” in the Persian Gulf region, the speaker underlined the role and commitments undertaken by Qatar as a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He also specified that Qatar envisages special cooperation with organizations such as NATO to foster peaceful relations in the region.
H.E Ambassador Dr Ibrahim Al Mohanadi then took the floor. Ambassador Al Mohanadi is Director of the Diplomatic Institute of Qatar, which operates under the auspices of the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His presentation began with a brief description of the remarkable development achieved by Qatar since the 1950s: a major factor in this respect has been the successful promotion of international cooperation by His Highness the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who has favoured a comprehensive and coordinated investment programme. The speaker explained the significant economic role that Qatar is currently playing within the context of the GCC and the Arab world in general, as well as the premium which Qatari foreign policy places on regional and international peace.
Ambassador Al Mohanadi also spoke in detail about Qatar’s National Vision 2030 programme: the target is strong and sustainable economic growth, not only for Qatar but also throughout the entire region. In the final part of the presentation, Ambassador Al Mohanadi dwelt on Qatar’s commitment to “economic diplomacy”. This involves neighbouring states and the Arab world as a whole, with a number of specific agreements to address the problem of widespread unemployment and provide opportunities for young people.
The final briefing was delivered at the Weill Cornell Medical College, which is part of the Education City Campus on the outskirts of Doha. Ms Sheelagh Windrum, Communications Director of the Qatar Foundation, spoke about the three pillars of National Vision 2030: education, science and research, and community development. She highlighted Qatar’s commitment to forging a cutting-edge role as a competitive knowledge-based economy and a “resource for the region”, while continuing to ensure that the nation’s cultural traditions are upheld as a living heritage.
Each of the day’s three presentations was followed by a lively question and answer period, making this an appropriately stimulating start to the ambitious itinerary which Course Members will be following until the end of the month.
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