GUQ Speaks

GUQSPEAKS coordinator
  • 5.0 (5)
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  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Life at GUQ is a diverse experience, and we’re just trying to piece it all together as we go. That’s exactly what we’re up to here – taking it one conversation at a time.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Speaking Truth to Power: Walkout or Speak Up? | #043

    She arrived at GU-Q just weeks into her tenure as President of the United Nations General Assembly — a role meant to represent the world's nations equally, impartially, together. But Students for Justice in Palestine weren't there to celebrate the appointment. As Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock had taken positions on Gaza that they could not let pass quietly into her new chapter. So they didn't. This episode asks the harder questions underneath that choice. What does it cost to speak? What does it cost to stay silent? And as GU-Q continues to shape its identity as a campus with a conscience, what kind of activism is this community willing to hold — and to honor? With contributions from Ahmed Zayed (Class of 2026), Rania Harrara (Class of 2026), Ayet Bouhajeb (Class of 2024), Professor Omar Khalifah, and Professor Gabor Scheiring. Edited by Ibrahim Absar (Class of 2026). Narrated by Remas Alhawari (Class of 2026) and Ibrahim Absar (Class of 2026).

    51 min

  2. 28 FEB

    The Gen Z Revolution in Nepal: Bimba Panthi on Writing Lungri | #042

    In this episode, we welcome a first for our podcast: a faculty host. Professor Magdalena Rostron sits down with Bimba Panthi (Class of '29), a freshman who has already made his mark as a published author. His book, Lungri, chronicles the Gen Z revolution in Nepal that put young people at the center of the conversation. Bimba takes us behind the pages, sharing what drove him to write the book and what it means to document a generation's uprising from the inside.

    39 min

  3. 13 FEB

    Transfer Student Stories: Terry and Levan from GU-Q to GU | #041

    Georgetown University first opened in Washington, DC in 1789. More than two centuries later, the School of Foreign Service expanded globally with the opening of the Doha campus in 2005 , now known as GU-Q , and most recently with a new branch in Indonesia. Across these campuses, students receive a Jesuit education shaped by very different cultural and social contexts. But what happens when a student experiences more than one Georgetown? In this episode, host Ali Nasir speaks with Levan Baidashvili and Terry Li about their journeys transferring from Georgetown University in Qatar to the main campus in Washington, DC. From academic expectations to campus culture and identity, they reflect on what it really feels like to navigate two campuses that share the same name , yet feel worlds apart. Tune in to hear their stories.

    36 min

  4. 01/12/2025

    GUQ Starter Pack: Freshmen Interrogate Seniors | #040

    Welcome to our first official vodcast! In this premiere episode, hosts Ruth Kidane and Eeman Siddiqui (both Class of 2029) sit down with four graduating seniors representing diverse academic paths at Georgetown University-Qatar. Tashafee Masoodi (International History), Ahmed Ahmed (International Economics), Marianna Pereira de Souza (Culture and Politics), and Ali Nasir (International Politics) open up about their journeys at GU-Q, sharing candid stories, hard-earned wisdom, and insider perspectives on navigating university life. Whether you're a freshman just beginning your GU-Q adventure or part of our growing alumni community reflecting on your own experiences, this conversation offers valuable insights for every stage of the journey. For the best viewing experience, tune in on our YouTube channel. Recording credits: Malak Saleh (Class of 2029), Maedelline Joy O Padil (Class of 2029).

    1hr 6min

  5. 01/11/2025

    Hiwaraat Conferences: When Does Criticism Become Resentment? | #039

    This episode examines the Hiwaraat conference series, launched by the GU-Q administration in Fall 2023. The official GU-Q website describes the series: "Launched in Fall 2023, the Hiwaraat Conference Series offers timely and topical conferences that draw together experts, practitioners, scholars, policymakers, and youth to discuss some of the most pressing topics of our time." Since its founding, Hiwaraat conferences have faced student criticism. Topics, programs, and speakers were all points of concern. By Fall 2025, in reaction to "Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art," students raised significant criticisms about the series, voicing concerns about speakers, topics, and the administration's approach to dialogue. What happens when students choose to engage instead of boycott? To not walk out, but sit down? We explore what unfolded during these events and discuss pathways for meaningful student engagement in shaping campus conversations. Special thanks to the contributors to this episode: Zahra Babar, executive director of CIRS; Noon ElSharif (class of 2027); Prof. Magdalena Rostron; Prof. Lynda Iroulo; Ameer Sadi (class of 2028); Farkhunda Fazeylar (class of 2026); Ftaim Al-Qahtani (class of 2026); John Burog (class of 2025); Malak Elmoh (class of 2021); Neilla Uwera and Yasmin Abdul Nasser (class of 2027). This episode was narrated by Remas Alhawari and edited by Ibrahim Absar.

    1 hr

  6. 16/10/2025

    Our Future is Ancestral: Professor Nouf Al-Thani on Qatar's Cultural Diplomacy

    In this episode, Professor Nouf Al-Thani, Deputy Director of Learning and Outreach at Lusail Museum (Qatar Museums), tells the story of Qatar as a cultural diplomat. How did Qatar build an identity that incorporates cultural diplomacy as soft power? How does a nation establish a distinct identity on the international stage? Tune in to discover Qatar's story as told by a Qatari scholar. This interview was moderated by Ibrahim Absar (IECO '26) and Ariba Ashraf (Class of 2029), and narrated by Remas Alhawari (IPOL '26) and Ibrahim Absar (IECO '26).

    19 min

  7. 02/10/2025

    From GU-Q Students to Faculty: Dr. Al-Jufairi and Dr. AlSada on Academia | #037

    Welcome back to GU-Q Speaks! In this special episode, we explore the inspiring journeys of two alumni who've returned to Georgetown University in Qatar as faculty members. Host Remas Alhawari (IPOL '26) sits down with Dr. Khalid Al-Jufairi (IPOL '09) and Dr. Maryam AlSada (IPOL '12) to discover how they transformed from curious students into accomplished scholars. Hear about their global academic careers, what drew them back to their alma mater, and the unique perspective they bring to teaching at GU-Q—a conversation about homecoming, academia, and the power of coming full circle.

    49 min

  8. 03/08/2025

    Hoya Welcome Week: Voices Behind the Scenes | #036

    A special collaboration between GUQ Speaks and the Hoya Welcome Week Coordinators! In this episode, host Maryam Al Ansari (Class of 2026) sits down with the dynamic duo behind Georgetown's Welcome Week planning: Panagiotis Dalgiannakis and Hassan Amin, both members of the Class of 2027. Discover what goes into coordinating Welcome Week events as Panos and Hassan share their vision for making the transition to GU-Q as smooth and exciting as possible, while giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the planning process. Whether you're an incoming student curious about what Welcome Week has in store or simply reminiscing about your first days at GU-Q, this episode offers great insights into the community-building efforts that make this campus special.

    14 min
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About

Life at GUQ is a diverse experience, and we’re just trying to piece it all together as we go. That’s exactly what we’re up to here – taking it one conversation at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    GUQSPEAKS coordinator
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © GUQSPEAKS coordinator
  • Show Website
    GUQ Speaks