Cooperation on program evaluation a key part of agreement
The University of Maryland School of Public Policy has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the College of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), to formalize their cooperation on the development of joint projects in fields of mutual interest.
The agreement was made official with a signing between HBKU, represented by Dr. Leslie A. Pal, founding dean of the College of Public Policy (CPP) and Dr. Anis Ben Brik, associate professor and founding director of the program of social policy and evaluation research (PROSPER), and the University of Maryland (UMD), represented by Senior VP and Provost Mary Ann Rankin, Dean of the UMD School of Public Policy Robert C. Orr, and Professor Douglas Besharov.
In keeping with their joint commitment to international scientific and cultural exchanges, the MoU paves the way for the two universities to work together on projects that enhance the exchange of scientific knowledge and cultural traditions at the global level. In particular, the agreement provides for CPP and the University of Maryland, a preeminent public research university, to discuss and explore collaboration on public policy development and implementation, as it relates to social policy and program evaluation. The UMD School of Public Policy ranks among the top 25 graduate schools of public policy in the US, and the top 10% of such schools nationwide. The school’s five institutes are globally recognized leaders in areas such as global sustainability.
Under the MoU, CPP’s program for social policy and evaluation research (PROSPER) and the UMD School of Public Policy will collaborate on joint research activities, publications and library exchanges, and also organize forums for the exchange of knowledge and experience. Other engagement opportunities will be participation in seminars, conferences, or workshops organized by their respective institutions that tackle topics of shared interest.
Speaking for HBKU, Dr Pal said: “The agreement will open doors for students and faculty to pursue forward-looking research priorities within a global context. I’m certain we share the same confidence that this mutual exchange of knowledge and experience will complement our breadth of specializations as we educate future leaders in policy making and fulfil our commitment to supporting effective policy development and implementation in Qatar.”
Dr. Ben Brik, founding director of PROSPER, said: “Building on recent collaboration between CPP’s PROSPER and the UMD School of Public Policy, the MoU is a solid foundation for HBKU to build a long-term relationship with the University of Maryland, one that aspires to achieve the mission of both our universities in all fields”.
“With the success of our recent collaboration, this MoU is an important next step in strengthening the partnership between our two institutions,” said Robert C. Orr, dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. “It stands to provide excellent opportunities for intellectual and cultural exchange between two top universities and embodies the cooperation across borders that we seek to instill in the next generation of policy leaders. I look forward to the ongoing collaborations among our faculty and students.”
