The Africa Institute, Global Studies University held its first postgraduate research showcase on Thursday, December 11, 2025, featuring projects from the inaugural cohort of the MA in Global African Studies. The event marked a milestone in the university’s development following the formal inauguration earlier this year of both the MA program and the Ph.D. in Global Studies by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
University President Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, Chancellor Dr. Salah M. Hassan, Dean of The Africa Institute, and members of the Board of Trustees attended the showcase alongside students, faculty, and invited scholars.
Titled “Research in Action: Methods, Topics, and African Futures,” the showcase featured over 20 first-year student projects examining African development, governance, heritage, technology, culture, and Afro-Arab relations. The work represented the MA program’s three specialization tracks: Museum and Critical Heritage Studies; Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations; and Afro-Arab Relations. Each project reflected the program’s emphasis on methodological rigor and interdisciplinary mentorship.
“Our inaugural MA cohort demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary scholarship, bringing together students from the humanities and social sciences to tackle pressing questions about Africa and its global connections,” said Dr. Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Associate Dean of The Africa Institute, GSU. “This showcase reflects the university’s vision to cultivate critical thinkers capable of addressing complex challenges with innovative methodologies and global perspectives.”
Guided by Dr. Maha Bashri, Associate Professor of Media and Communication, students developed their research as part of their MA research methods coursework. “Cross-departmental collaboration gives students perspectives that enrich their projects and culminate in this showcase,” Dr. Bashri said.
Judges included Dr. Mohamed Faroug, Visiting Assistant Professor of Archaeology at The Africa Institute; Dr. Yonas Ashine Demisse, Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellow in Global African Studies at The Africa Institute and Associate Professor at Addis Ababa University; Dr. Rosette Sifa Vuninga, Fatema Mernissi Postdoctoral Fellow in Social and Cultural Studies; and Regina Fupi, Lecturer in Kiswahili at The Africa Institute.
Projects were evaluated based on research focus, methodological rigor, data presentation, and overall contribution, as determined by the judging panel. Awards were presented by Dr. Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of Global Studies University and Dean of The Africa Institute.
First place was awarded to Mantate Mlotshwa, specializing in Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations, for a project analyzing media coverage of African women presidents and foreign ministers.
Joint second place went to Lubacha Deus (pictured left), specializing in Afro-Arab Relations, for a study on electoral democracy and protest in Tanzania, and to Daniel Mbizi (pictured right), specializing in Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations, for Two Roads, One Chinese Hand, a comparative analysis of infrastructure, governance, and diplomacy in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Third place went to Nouf Ali Aljahdami, specializing in Museum and Critical Heritage Studies, for research on Afro-Arab representation at Al Shindagha Museum, examining intersections of memory and datafication in cultural heritage.
Click to view all photos from the event.
The Africa Institute, Global Studies University held its first postgraduate research showcase on Thursday, December 11, 2025, featuring projects from the inaugural cohort of the MA in Global African Studies. The event marked a milestone in the university’s development following the formal inauguration earlier this year of both the MA program and the Ph.D. in Global Studies by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
The Africa Institute, Global Studies University held its first postgraduate research showcase on Thursday, December 11, 2025, featuring projects from the inaugural cohort of the MA in Global African Studies. The event marked a milestone in the university’s development following the formal inauguration earlier this year of both the MA program and the Ph.D. in Global Studies by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
University President Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, Chancellor Dr. Salah M. Hassan, Dean of The Africa Institute, and members of the Board of Trustees attended the showcase alongside students, faculty, and invited scholars.
Titled “Research in Action: Methods, Topics, and African Futures,” the showcase featured over 20 first-year student projects examining African development, governance, heritage, technology, culture, and Afro-Arab relations. The work represented the MA program’s three specialization tracks: Museum and Critical Heritage Studies; Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations; and Afro-Arab Relations. Each project reflected the program’s emphasis on methodological rigor and interdisciplinary mentorship.
“Our inaugural MA cohort demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary scholarship, bringing together students from the humanities and social sciences to tackle pressing questions about Africa and its global connections,” said Dr. Binyam Sisay Mendisu, Associate Dean of The Africa Institute, GSU. “This showcase reflects the university’s vision to cultivate critical thinkers capable of addressing complex challenges with innovative methodologies and global perspectives.”
Guided by Dr. Maha Bashri, Associate Professor of Media and Communication, students developed their research as part of their MA research methods coursework. “Cross-departmental collaboration gives students perspectives that enrich their projects and culminate in this showcase,” Dr. Bashri said.
Judges included Dr. Mohamed Faroug, Visiting Assistant Professor of Archaeology at The Africa Institute; Dr. Yonas Ashine Demisse, Ali A. Mazrui Senior Fellow in Global African Studies at The Africa Institute and Associate Professor at Addis Ababa University; Dr. Rosette Sifa Vuninga, Fatema Mernissi Postdoctoral Fellow in Social and Cultural Studies; and Regina Fupi, Lecturer in Kiswahili at The Africa Institute.
Projects were evaluated based on research focus, methodological rigor, data presentation, and overall contribution, as determined by the judging panel. Awards were presented by Dr. Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of Global Studies University and Dean of The Africa Institute.
First place was awarded to Mantate Mlotshwa, specializing in Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations, for a project analyzing media coverage of African women presidents and foreign ministers.
Joint second place went to Lubacha Deus (pictured left), specializing in Afro-Arab Relations, for a study on electoral democracy and protest in Tanzania, and to Daniel Mbizi (pictured right), specializing in Diplomacy and Africa’s International Relations, for Two Roads, One Chinese Hand, a comparative analysis of infrastructure, governance, and diplomacy in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
Third place went to Nouf Ali Aljahdami, specializing in Museum and Critical Heritage Studies, for research on Afro-Arab representation at Al Shindagha Museum, examining intersections of memory and datafication in cultural heritage.
Click to view all photos from the event.
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