• Admissions Opening Soon for MA Program in Global African Studies
• Opportunities Available for Academic and Administrative Careers at GSU

Sharjah, UAE, September 20, 2024 — Global Studies University (GSU), a newly established nonprofit academic institution, was founded under an Emiri Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, in 2023. GSU is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary education and research in global studies.

Historically, the UAE and the wider Gulf region have served as convergence points for peoples and cultures, a pattern that continues today through migrations, tourism, pilgrimage, and other forms of exchange. The establishment of GSU reflects the ongoing recognition of this rich and diverse cultural tapestry, along with the ambitions and vision of the UAE. GSU is envisioned as a network of semi-independent yet interconnected interdisciplinary institutions, each focusing on
different regions of the world. This network includes The Africa Institute, established in 2018, and the soon-to-be-established Asia Institute. Additional institutions and colleges focusing on other regions, such as the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, are planned for the future.

These institutions aim to concentrate on teaching, research, and the documentation of histories, cultures, and peoples from different regions, particularly the Global South, which comprises the majority of the population in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Indigenous territories in the Americas—all of which were formerly under Western colonial influence.

Under the leadership of President Hoor Al Qasimi and Chancellor Salah M. Hassan, who also serves as Dean of The Africa Institute, GSU is poised to become a leading center for global studies. The university boasts a diverse faculty in the humanities and social sciences, dedicated to transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries and fostering critical thinking on a global scale.

GSU’s strategic goals include excellence in postgraduate training across the humanities, social sciences, and non-Western languages and translation. The university aims to establish itself as a pivotal hub for global studies discourse, influencing new paradigms of thought and fostering South-North dialogues on a global platform.

The Africa Institute, a part of GSU, has received confirmation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) in the UAE to begin advertising its inaugural Master’s (MA) program in Global African Studies. Scheduled to launch in January 2025, the program aims to cultivate a new generation of critical thinkers and professionals in African and African diaspora studies. The curriculum offers three specialized tracks: Museum and Critical Heritage Studies; Afro-Arab Relations; and Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations.

As the only institution of its kind located in the Gulf—the historical nexus of African-Arab cultural exchange—GSU’s curriculum is designed to train the next generation of critical thinkers. The interdisciplinary approach encompasses intellectual thought, the Indian Ocean world, the Muslim world, gender studies, feminist futures, and diaspora studies.

GSU’s campus is situated in the historic Al Manakh neighborhood, on the grounds of the former Khalid Bin Mohammed School, a mid-1970s architectural icon that has been thoughtfully renovated to preserve its cultural significance. This historic structure now serves as the vibrant home of GSU, blending heritage with modern academic pursuits.

Covering 23,053 square meters, our campus is designed to support an inclusive and rigorous academic environment, with facilities that reflect our commitment to fostering a vibrant learning community, including an auditorium, workshop spaces, modular classrooms, a library, and a bookshop. In addition to our existing infrastructure, we are continually expanding to enhance the GSU experience.

In addition to its academic programs, GSU plans to host international symposia and conferences, visual art exhibitions and artist commissions, film and performance series, and community classes and outreach events. These initiatives aim to engage both the academic community and the broader public in discussions about global issues.

GSU invites prospective students and potential faculty members to be part of this exciting new chapter in global studies education. Whether seeking to advance academic careers or contribute to our mission as faculty or staff, GSU welcomes interest in joining its diverse and dynamic community. For more information about Global Studies University and its programs, please visit gsu.ac.ae. For details about The Africa Institute, please visit theafricainstitute.org.

About The Africa Institute, Global Studies University (GSU)

Based in Sharjah, UAE, The Africa Institute is a higher education academic entity dedicated to advancing the study, research, and documentation of Africa and its diaspora, with a focus on the humanities and social sciences. It operates as a center of research and documentation, and a postgraduate studies institution, offering master’s and Ph.D. programs as well as diplomas in African Languages and Translation. The Africa Institute aims to be a center of excellence to train a new generation of critical thinkers in African and African diaspora studies. In 2023, The Africa Institute became part of the newly established Global Studies University (GSU), integrated into its network of semi-independent and interdisciplinary institutes, with each focusing on different regions worldwide. These institutes emphasize postgraduate studies, research, and documentation of the histories, cultures, and peoples of various global regions. The next entity to be officially established in 2024 is The Asia Institute. Additionally, preparations are underway to launch other institutes focusing on Oceania, Europe, and the Americas in the coming years. The Africa Institute is led by Hoor Al Qasimi, President of Global Studies University, and Salah M. Hassan, Dean of The Africa Institute and Chancellor of Global Studies University. For more information, visit theafricainstitute.org.

For additional information, interview requests, or press images please contact:
Megna Kalvani
Communications & Outreach Manager:
+971 50 241 0577
[email protected]

Aisha Al Hammadi
Communications & Outreach Coordinator:
+971 56 3739520
[email protected]