MESSAGE FROM THE FACULTY CHAIR

The academic programs delivered at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), centered on the Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree, require a diverse faculty of the highest caliber. The GU-Q faculty are established scholars from across the disciplines of anthropology, economics, government, international relations and political science, history, languages and literature, philosophy, and theology. Their qualifications have been earned from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, while most have also been affiliated with eminent centers of research and teaching before joining GU-Q.

Although the strength of our faculty ensured academic excellence was maintained, teaching and learning during the 2019-2020 academic year experienced a sea change due to physical distancing requirements imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The fall semester embraced the usual academic activities, while the spring semester will be remembered as a time that demanded a high level of resilience and flexibility. Extensive work related to emergency preparedness and more specifically to instructional continuity was necessary to quickly and effectively transition to an online environment. Pedagogical and practical resources to support the delivery and enhancement of online and hybrid teaching were also designed.

Within the realm of the virtual environment, new ways of accommodating events and meetings were implemented. Online meeting platforms became an essential part of the educational mandate. As in-person events had to be put on hold, online events replaced them. Students and faculty continued gathering remotely to discuss their current projects, research, or global issues, including the Black Lives Matter movement, a new U.S. administration, and the global health crisis, with GU-Q faculty taking part in one of three “Pandemic Panels” to explore COVID-19 through the lens of governance, regional recovery, and historical and cultural perspectives.

The challenge of facing a global pandemic while continuing to offer the academic excellence for which GU-Q is known, enabled us to develop new administrative and instructional continuity concepts that have prepared us for both an in-person and virtual future.