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At the recently held 14th annual Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) Educational Congress, the Emir of Qatar, H.H.
Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, pledged more than 1
million US dollars (4 million Qatari Riyals) for the
establishment of a GIS program at the Gulf University in
Bahrain.
The GCC is an alliance of nations bordering the Arabian Gulf, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudia Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The group works cooperatively to broaden its cultural and historic ties, which provides a forum for resolving any social or political issues that may arise.
The Emir's announcement closely follows the conclusion of Qatar's successful GIS/GPS Conference '97, which was attended by many GCC country citizens.
In the inaugural speech at the GCC conference, Qatar's Education and Cultural Minister H.E. Dr. Abdul Rahim Kafoud referred to the Emir's pledge when he said that, "Any successful effort or experiment in education by any members of the GCC countries would undoubtedly have a positive effect on the council's educational drive."
Dr. Kafoud stressed the need for the further development of GCC educational programs to cope with the region's needs for the new century.
The Gulf University was established in 1979 by the GCC to coordinate education development and provide a focal point for education policy, planning, and strategies for the Gulf countries. The university has an international reputation for its medical and science programs and offers both undergraduate and post-graduate courses of study.
GIS projects are currently being contemplated by the faculty members of the university's Desert Studies program. While the region in general is very arid, research is currently being conducted to promote agriculture in those areas most able to sustain it to become more self-sufficient in food production and resist further desiccation of the land.
Comments Qassim Mohammed A. Al-Ghanim, Head of Qatar's Centre for GIS, "The Emir's donation represents recognition, from the highest members of government, of the value of GIS to government and society. The announcement indicates that our government wishes to ensure that future generations will be well trained in the use of GIS technology."