A group of eight Qatar University (QU) law students took part in a 10-day (October 30-November 8) program in the US to observe the process of the Presidential and congressional elections that took place recently.
The aim of the trip was to orient the students from the College of Law (LAWC) on the workings of the US government and its branches and their role and functions.
As part of the programme Ahmad A Feraidon, Sara Al Khaldi, Noore Abdullah, Afra Al Merri, Dabia Al Maslamani, Ghada Hijazi, Waleed Al Mardahi and Abdulrahman Awadh were given presentations and seminars on the three branches of the US government -- Congress, the Judiciary and the Presidency; and oriented on the history of the development of the US government and the selection process of the members of its three branches.
The students also made a visit to the Library of Congress and to the Capitol (the House and the Senate) and took part in discussions with senior experts on the US political culture including how the political system works, and especially the role of the legislative branch of government, and separation of powers.
The students had the opportunity to meet Michael F Curtin, a Democratic Party Candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives as well as the Chairman of the Democratic Party in Columbus Greg Haas, who briefed the students on his expectations for the presidential elections and the process of campaigning for elections in general in the United States.
Commenting on the trip, LAWC Dean Dr Hassan Okour said: “The College of Law is committed to ensuring that its students are provided with opportunities such as this to be exposed to other legal systems in the world especially in leading countries like the US. These trips additionally provide the students with opportunities to develop their professional skills. This trip in particular which focused on the US presidential and congressional elections, was of great significance given the huge attention given to elections in the Arab world recently and especially in Qatar which will witness its first Advisory Council elections next year.”
Student Ahmad A Feraidon said: “I am very happy to have been part of this group of Qatari students making this important trip to the US which allowed me to learn more about its government and legal systems.” His colleague Sara Al Khaldi, noted that the trip was an invaluable opportunity which came at an exciting moment in US history.
LAWC Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Ola Shadid said: “The students embarked on a phenomenal learning journey into the world of US law and the elements that shape, form and drive its legal systems, including the politics behind the presidential elections. The students expanded their social, cultural and legal horizons and their experience was enriched through interacting, networking, learning and participating”.
The trip was sponsored by the US Embassy in Qatar and organised by World Learning, a nonprofit organization in Washington.
The Peninsula
