Students and Scholars Focus on a Globalized World at Georgetown

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) will be hosting university students from around the world at third annual Middle Eastern Studies Student Association’s (MESSA) Undergraduate Research conference entitled “Globalization & the Middle East: Youth, Media and Resources” on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at 5:00pm, at the Georgetown University Building, in Education City. The opening session on Thursday is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

MESSA, the conference sponsor, now in its third year, is a uniquely student-focused campus organization, giving young people a chance to emulate their esteemed peers in the research community, through the hard work of writing an academic paper and presenting it at a conference. MESSA intends to bring together scholars, educators and those interested in the study of the region from all over the world. Established by students of Georgetown’s Qatar campus, MESSA’s success has encouraged the Washington D.C. main campus to form a similar organization for and by students.

“MESSA connects undergraduate students from top universities worldwide to discuss and enrich their Middle East-focused research, while engaging with their peers and mentors from the world of academia, as well as the private, public and nonprofit sectors,” said Dean Gerd Nonneman, who will be opening the conference this Thursday. “The Middle East is a region going through significant political and social transitions, and this forum’s theme, “Hot Spot Middle East: The road ahead” reflects this. The conference will focus on youth, gender, media, and technology in the broader dynamics of contemporary Middle East affairs. Through this initiative, which is student-initiated, these young people are taking practical steps on the road to becoming genuine scholars, while also being a part of the history of this region.”

Student Natalie Diong, who is working on a degree in Culture and Politics, is responsible for public relations of the event, and works closely with the student president and vice-president of the committee in managing all social media platforms that promote the conference to students internationally.

“MESSA gives a voice to the research of undergraduates that might not be recognized within a more formalized setting. It also gives students like me a chance to involve myself in a variety of ways, by working on the logistics and marketing – not just being a conference delegate.”

For Natalie, the conference is particularly significant considering her pursuit of a Certificate in Media and Politics – Georgetown’s version of a minor – recently offered by the university in conjunction with Northwestern University Qatar. “As a student who represents a country outside of the Arab continent – more specifically Singapore – it allows me to apply and compare the issues faced by the Middle East, to the politics present in my own country, which is very important for my education,” added Natalie.

Student papers were chosen for inclusion in the conference following a call for submissions that ended in early January of this 2014. Besides organizing the annual conference, the students also work on publishing an annual academic journal focused on Middle Eastern Studies, build awareness about the Certificate of Arab and Regional Studies offered at GU-Q, and connect undergraduates with leaders from academia, as well as the private, public and nonprofit sectors within and beyond the Middle East. The public opening ceremonies are at 5 PM on Thursday March 20th. Walk-ins are welcome.