Queen Mary deepens strategic ties with the Middle East

The delegation, led by Professor Helen Bailey, Vice-Principal International, visited Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, engaging with leading universities, government bodies, industry leaders, and the Queen Mary alumni community.  

Reflecting on the trip, Professor Helen Bailey said: 

“Our connection to the Middle East is both longstanding and important to Queen Mary’s global engagement. This visit reflects our commitment to welcoming students from across the region and forging innovative research partnerships that can address global challenges.” 

During the visit, the delegation held meetings with key partners including Qatar Energy, Aramco and the Gulf University for Science & Technology (GUST), where they discussed expanding collaboration in research, scholarship funding, and medical education consultancy in subjects including biomedical engineering, AI, geology and health. The delegation also met with academic leaders from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Khalifa University and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. 

Among the highlights of the visit was Professor Helen Bailey’s keynote address at the UK-Qatar AI Plenary in Doha. In her speech, she spoke about Queen Mary’s world-leading AI research, including from the Digital Environment Research Institute and the University’s interdisciplinary approach to innovation. The event, opened by HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, Qatari Ambassador to the UK, and HE Neerav Patel, UK Ambassador to Qatar, marked a renewed commitment to bilateral collaboration in science and education. 

“It was an honour to share the stage with esteemed colleagues from both the UK and Qatar, and to witness first-hand the momentum growing around international research partnerships. Our engagements with government, industry and academia across the Middle East are key to advancing innovation, driving student opportunity, and developing joint solutions to global challenges,” emphasised Professor Helen Bailey.  

The delegation also hosted alumni receptions in Dubai and Riyadh, reconnecting with former students who are now leaders in law, healthcare, business, and government, and who form part of Queen Mary’s growing network of over 3,000 alumni across the Middle East. 

Queen Mary’s delegation included : Professor Jo Martin, Deputy Vice-Principal at the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Professor Anthony Warrens, Dean of Education in the Queen Mary Malta Campus, Dr Matthieu Burnay, Dean International at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr Jae-Hwan Park, International Lead at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Professor Cedric John, Head of Data Science for the Environment and Sustainability of the Digital Environment Research Institute, Lee Wildman, Director of Global Engagement, Celeste Bright, Director of Development and Alumni Engagement, Gary Surridge, Head of Development, Rachel Miles, International Executive Officer, and Jessica Wong, PGR Recruitment, Partnerships and Sponsor Manager.