RUSI to establish a branch in Doha, Qatar
The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI) is delighted to announce that it will be establishing a branch of the Institute in Doha, Qatar.
Monday June 25 2007
As part of its strategy to expand its defence and security research activities to key regions of the world, RUSI has been negotiating for some time with the Government of the State of Qatar, under the sponsorship of His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. The negotiations have now been successfully concluded, and a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed this afternoon by His Excellency Khalid Rashid Al-Hamoudi Al-Mansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar on behalf of the Government of the State of Qatar and by Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold, the Director of RUSI.
Entitled RUSI(Qatar), the branch office will conduct research and organise conferences, on specific security questions affecting Qatar, the Gulf and the broader Middle East. The office will seek to promote a deeper debate about the security challenges in the region, as well as strengthening the traditional close links between the United Kingdom and the State of Qatar. RUSI(Qatar) will also strive to engage with local academics and military practitioners in its activities, and will provide a first point of call for the media in the region.
RUSI(Qatar) will launch its programme of activities during the autumn of 2007; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Upon signing the Memorandum of Understanding, Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold, the Director RUSI, said “We have long recognised that the best way to pursue research activities is to be present in the region and engaged in direct dialogue with the main regional actors. Establishing a branch office in Doha is an historic step, showing that RUSI, though proud of its tradition and British heritage, is determined to remain at the cutting edge of the current security debate. We are most grateful to the Government of the State of Qatar for working with us on this initiative and we are convinced that it will succeed.”
Signing on behalf of the State of Qatar, HE Khalid Al-Mansouri, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Court of St James, stated “It is with great pleasure that I sign this agreement today with the renowned institute RUSI. Defence and security matters are of global concern and demand international cooperation in the interest of world peace and stability. This agreement can only enhance the good relations we enjoy with the United Kingdom.”
Staffing
RUSI(Qatar) will be headed by a Director, for which recruitment has begun. Mr Mark Thomas, formerly of the Institute’s Middle East and North Africa Programme in London, has been appointed Assistant to the Director of RUSI(Qatar), and will take up his post in the near future.
The branch will employ a number local researchers, and will cooperate with other regional defence and security centres. The branch will also draw on the Institute’s expertise in its three core fields of International Security Studies, Military Sciences, and Homeland Security and Resilience.
About RUSI
RUSI is the oldest defence institute in the world, and Britain’s leading forum for research and debate on national and international defence and security issues. Founded in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington, RUSI has frequently organized various events around the world. However, this will be the first time that the Institute establishes a permanent presence in another country.
Contact
For any queries relating to academic work or partnership with RUSI(Qatar) contact Mark Thomas at markt@rusi.org or 020 7747 2607. For all other queries please contact Media and Communications Executive, Daniel Sherman at daniels@rusi.org or 020 7747 2617.
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