Wednesday, September 21. A visit to UCLA’s campus by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, provided students the rare opportunity to interact with a head of state from the Middle East and discuss a wide range of issues currently in the news. Moderated by Dr. Steven Spiegel, Director of the UCLA Center for Middle East Development, the conversation included topics such as peace building, Iran, integration of refugees, regional cooperation and the Arab uprisings.

The meeting was held at the residence of UCLA Chancellor, Dr. Gene D. Block, and saw the participation of several members of the Emir’s high level delegation, as well as Chancellor Block, Vice Provost Cindy Fan of UCLA’s International Institute, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero and Dean Teri Swartz and Assistant Dean Jeff Burke of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television.

The Emir held a separate meeting with Chancellor Block, Vice Provost Cindy Fan and Director Steven Spiegel to discuss CMED’s ongoing collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in organizing its annual Enriching the Middle East’s Economic Future conference in Doha, Qatar. The Emir spoke positively about the conference, which has evolved over the past eleven years to include delegates from 65 countries who gather to discuss the most pressing issues in the region’s development.

Dean Teri Schwartz and Assistant Dean Jeff Burke shared the accomplishments of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and their budding partnership with the Doha Film Institute. Assistant Dean Jeff Burke discussed the school’s innovative development of storytelling through a variety of media platforms, such as virtual and augmented reality.
The Emir and Mrs. Fatma Al Rumeihi, CEO of the Doha Film Institute, expressed their enthusiastic support for the UCLA Film School’s ventures, and its collaboration with the Doha Film Institute, especially its efforts to promote the creation of impactful social justice pieces that share unique personal perspectives.