Global Studies University (GSU) welcomed the second cohort of the MA in Global African Studies during orientation week, held from January 11–15, 2026, at The Africa Institute in Sharjah. The cohort includes 31 students representing 16 nationalities, reflecting the program’s international and interdisciplinary character.
Orientation opened with welcome remarks from Professor Binyam Mendisu, Associate Dean of The Africa Institute and Director of Graduate Studies, GSU, on behalf of H.H. Hoor Al Qasimi, President of GSU, and Professor Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of GSU and Dean of The Africa Institute. Sara Majdi, Director of Academic Affairs, GSU, also addressed students, introducing the program objectives and welcoming them to the GSU academic community. The week carried the overarching theme: “What it Means to be a GSU Student.”
Students explored the academic and administrative foundations of the MA program. Sessions covered program structure, learning outcomes, academic advising, admissions, registration, student services, career and alumni support, and key resources for living in Sharjah. Administrative briefings included residency, health insurance, and banking procedures, while a library orientation familiarized students with research tools. A campus tour and stories from the University archives provided context on GSU’s history and academic environment.
Students participated in Reading Widely, Reading Well: How to Ace Grad School, led by Grieve Chelwa, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences at The Africa Institute, and Dale Menezes, Assistant Professor of History at The Asia Institute. The session introduced strategies for graduate-level reading, research engagement, and scholarly excellence.
Student wellbeing was supported by Dr. Salah Elbakheit, General Practitioner at Doctor’s Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC). Students also connected with Nest Campus by Arada, the University’s housing partner, to understand residential life and acclimate to living in Sharjah.
Workshops delivered in partnership with Inclusive Innovation emphasized applied learning, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving. Facilitators Mohamed El Zayat and Professor Connie V. Nshemereirwe guided students through sessions on active listening, personal leadership, clarifying challenges and opportunities, generating ideas, developing solutions, balancing studies and life, and collective and personal visioning.
Throughout orientation, students networked with faculty and peers from both the MA and PhD cohorts, fostering early collaboration and academic exchange. The program provided a structured introduction to academic expectations, university resources, and cultural engagement.
Cultural learning was embedded throughout the week, including a cultural Emirati lunch in a majlis setting, complemented by traditional snacks. The week concluded with a community night tour, providing students with an immersive introduction to Sharjah’s heritage and urban environment.
As students embark on their Spring 2026 semester, GSU looks forward to supporting their growth and scholarship, laying the foundation for a successful and enriching postgraduate study experience.
View our photo album on our Facebook page.
Global Studies University (GSU) welcomed the second cohort of the MA in Global African Studies during orientation week, held from January 11–15, 2026, at The Africa Institute in Sharjah. The cohort includes 31 students representing 16 nationalities, reflecting the program’s international and interdisciplinary character.
Global Studies University (GSU) welcomed the second cohort of the MA in Global African Studies during orientation week, held from January 11–15, 2026, at The Africa Institute in Sharjah. The cohort includes 31 students representing 16 nationalities, reflecting the program’s international and interdisciplinary character.
Orientation opened with welcome remarks from Professor Binyam Mendisu, Associate Dean of The Africa Institute and Director of Graduate Studies, GSU, on behalf of H.H. Hoor Al Qasimi, President of GSU, and Professor Salah M. Hassan, Chancellor of GSU and Dean of The Africa Institute. Sara Majdi, Director of Academic Affairs, GSU, also addressed students, introducing the program objectives and welcoming them to the GSU academic community. The week carried the overarching theme: “What it Means to be a GSU Student.”
Students explored the academic and administrative foundations of the MA program. Sessions covered program structure, learning outcomes, academic advising, admissions, registration, student services, career and alumni support, and key resources for living in Sharjah. Administrative briefings included residency, health insurance, and banking procedures, while a library orientation familiarized students with research tools. A campus tour and stories from the University archives provided context on GSU’s history and academic environment.
Students participated in Reading Widely, Reading Well: How to Ace Grad School, led by Grieve Chelwa, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences at The Africa Institute, and Dale Menezes, Assistant Professor of History at The Asia Institute. The session introduced strategies for graduate-level reading, research engagement, and scholarly excellence.
Student wellbeing was supported by Dr. Salah Elbakheit, General Practitioner at Doctor’s Clinic Diagnostic Center (DCDC). Students also connected with Nest Campus by Arada, the University’s housing partner, to understand residential life and acclimate to living in Sharjah.
Workshops delivered in partnership with Inclusive Innovation emphasized applied learning, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving. Facilitators Mohamed El Zayat and Professor Connie V. Nshemereirwe guided students through sessions on active listening, personal leadership, clarifying challenges and opportunities, generating ideas, developing solutions, balancing studies and life, and collective and personal visioning.
Throughout orientation, students networked with faculty and peers from both the MA and PhD cohorts, fostering early collaboration and academic exchange. The program provided a structured introduction to academic expectations, university resources, and cultural engagement.
Cultural learning was embedded throughout the week, including a cultural Emirati lunch in a majlis setting, complemented by traditional snacks. The week concluded with a community night tour, providing students with an immersive introduction to Sharjah’s heritage and urban environment.
As students embark on their Spring 2026 semester, GSU looks forward to supporting their growth and scholarship, laying the foundation for a successful and enriching postgraduate study experience.
View our photo album on our Facebook page.
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