GUQ Speaks

Epizodai

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  Signing Off: The Founders' Last Episode | #050 17.07.2026 1val 16min

  Two parallel stories behind GU-Q’s podcast club.For Remas Alhawari , it started in an email correspondence. For Ibrahim Absar, it was a joke between friends that wouldn’t die. Neither of them set out to build anything but somehow those two unrelated threads collided into GUQSpeaks: the first student-led podcast club on campus.Fifty episodes later, in their final sit-down as hosts, the co-founders (Class of 2026) finally put both origin stories side by side. How an email became a real idea. How a joke became a real commitment. The behind-the-scenes work no one saw, the guests and moments that shaped the show, and everything it took to turn two casual starting points into something that outlasted them both.As they graduate and pass the mic on, this episode is part origin story, part behind-the-scenes, and part goodbye.
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  Hoya Welcome Week: Meet Your Coordinators, Class of 2030 | #049 27.06.2026 32min

  Hoya Welcome Week is just around the corner, and before the events, the icebreakers, and the chaos of first week, meet the two people behind it all. Your Welcome Week Coordinators Masa Qaoud and Anwesha Nath, both from the Class of 2028, sit down to introduce themselves and answer your burning questions straight from the Class of 2030. Because who better to help you navigate your first week than the ones who are planning it?Welcome to Georgetown. Let's get into it.
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  Kirby Takes Over: Undercover on GU-Q Speaks | #048 17.06.2026 14min

  For over 4 years, Kirby, a small pink plush ball , has been quietly traveling the world on Instagram, showing up in cities, landscapes, and moments across the globe, all through an anonymous account that's grown to nearly 1,000 followers without ever revealing who's behind it.In this episode, we finally sit down with the person carrying Kirby everywhere to talk about how it all started, what it's like to build a community around something so simple, and why staying anonymous has always been part of the charm.And of course, what's next for Kirby? More countries? More adventures? We get into the future of the little pink plush who's seen more of the world than most of us ever will.
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  GU-Q Faculty on Air: Professors in Global Media | #047 09.06.2026 39min

  We love seeing our professors on global screens, but what actually goes into it? This episode features two GU-Q faculty members stepping into the spotlight.Dr. Raha Hakimdavar is a hydrologist, space science leader, and science policy expert whose work on water and climate security has made her a go-to voice since February 28. Professor Gabor Scheiring, a former Member of Parliament turned academic, has appeared on news outlets across all 6 inhabited continents.Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at your professors' side quests!Hosted and Edited by Remas Alhawari (Class of 2026)
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  Best Duo: Keep Finding Each Other, The Class of 2026 on Friendship | #046 15.05.2026 32min

  They were voted Best Duo by the Class of 2026, and if you know Farkhunda Fazelyar (CULP 2026) and Mahwash Sarwari, (IECO 2026), you know why. Ten years of friendship carried across Afghanistan, India, Washington D.C., and Qatar. Different cities, different chapters, the same two people showing up for each other. As we close out our time at GU-Q, they sit down to talk about what it actually takes to keep a friendship alive, through distance, change, and everything in between. This one's for the Class of 2026: on the people who walked with you, and how you hold onto them from here.
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  The Handoff: Power, Pressure and What Comes Next for SGA | #045 24.04.2026 44min

  In this episode, outgoing SGA President Ali sits down with Panos, the newly elected 21st president of Georgetown University in Qatar's Student Government Association, to talk about what the job actually looks like the campaigns, the defeats, the WhatsApp wars, and the weight of a title that never quite lets you off the hook.From a joke introduction during room visits to a genuine shot at the presidency, Panos reflects on how he got here. Ali reflects on what he's leaving behind. Together, they talk about what it means to represent a community you cannot always satisfy, and why that tension is, maybe, the whole point.Hosted by Ali Nasir (Class of 2026). Featuring Panos, incoming SGA President (Class of 2027).
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  Letters from the Front Line: Voices of GU-Q | #044 15.04.2026 39min

  Spring 2026 may be remembered as one of the most turbulent semesters in Georgetown University in Qatar's history. As missiles fell and the region held its breath, members of the GU-Q community did what communities do. They bore witness, they reached out, and they wrote.This episode documents the lived experiences of students, faculty, and staff navigating an uncertain world from the heart of Doha. Some returned. Some departed. Some stayed behind. Together, their voices paint a portrait of what it meant to be part of GU-Q during what some are already calling the Third Gulf War.Featuring reflections from Zain Assaf (Class of 2023), Ali Nasir (Class of 2026), Maryam Al-Ansari (Class of 2026), Aisha Al-Emadi (Class of 2028), Mohtasim Hafiz (Class of 2029), Professor Magda Rostron, and Professor Ian Almond.Special thanks to Maryam Al-Ansari for conducting interviews across our community and bringing this project to life.
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  Speaking Truth to Power: Walkout or Speak Up? | #043 05.04.2026 51min

  She arrived at GU-Q just weeks into her tenure as President of the United Nations General Assembly — a role meant to represent the world's nations equally, impartially, together. But Students for Justice in Palestine weren't there to celebrate the appointment. As Germany's Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock had taken positions on Gaza that they could not let pass quietly into her new chapter. So they didn't.This episode asks the harder questions underneath that choice. What does it cost to speak? What does it cost to stay silent? And as GU-Q continues to shape its identity as a campus with a conscience, what kind of activism is this community willing to hold — and to honor?With contributions from Ahmed Zayed (Class of 2026), Rania Harrara (Class of 2026), Ayet Bouhajeb (Class of 2024), Professor Omar Khalifah, and Professor Gabor Scheiring.Edited by Ibrahim Absar (Class of 2026).Narrated by Remas Alhawari (Class of 2026) and Ibrahim Absar (Class of 2026).
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  The Gen Z Revolution in Nepal: Bimba Panthi on Writing Lungri | #042 28.02.2026 39min

  In this episode, we welcome a first for our podcast: a faculty host. Professor Magdalena Rostron sits down with Bimba Panthi (Class of '29), a freshman who has already made his mark as a published author. His book, Lungri, chronicles the Gen Z revolution in Nepal that put young people at the center of the conversation. Bimba takes us behind the pages, sharing what drove him to write the book and what it means to document a generation's uprising from the inside.
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  Transfer Student Stories: Terry and Levan from GU-Q to GU | #041 13.02.2026 35min

  Georgetown University first opened in Washington, DC in 1789. More than two centuries later, the School of Foreign Service expanded globally with the opening of the Doha campus in 2005 , now known as GU-Q , and most recently with a new branch in Indonesia. Across these campuses, students receive a Jesuit education shaped by very different cultural and social contexts.But what happens when a student experiences more than one Georgetown?In this episode, host Ali Nasir speaks with Levan Baidashvili and Terry Li about their journeys transferring from Georgetown University in Qatar to the main campus in Washington, DC. From academic expectations to campus culture and identity, they reflect on what it really feels like to navigate two campuses that share the same name , yet feel worlds apart.Tune in to hear their stories.
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  GUQ Starter Pack: Freshmen Interrogate Seniors | #040 01.12.2025 1val 6min

  Welcome to our first official vodcast! In this premiere episode, hosts Ruth Kidane and Eeman Siddiqui (both Class of 2029) sit down with four graduating seniors representing diverse academic paths at Georgetown University-Qatar. Tashafee Masoodi (International History), Ahmed Ahmed (International Economics), Marianna Pereira de Souza (Culture and Politics), and Ali Nasir (International Politics) open up about their journeys at GU-Q, sharing candid stories, hard-earned wisdom, and insider perspectives on navigating university life.Whether you're a freshman just beginning your GU-Q adventure or part of our growing alumni community reflecting on your own experiences, this conversation offers valuable insights for every stage of the journey. For the best viewing experience, tune in on our YouTube channel.Recording credits: Malak Saleh (Class of 2029), Maedelline Joy O Padil (Class of 2029).
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  Hiwaraat Conferences: When Does Criticism Become Resentment? | #039 01.11.2025 59min

  This episode examines the Hiwaraat conference series, launched by the GU-Q administration in Fall 2023. The official GU-Q website describes the series: "Launched in Fall 2023, the Hiwaraat Conference Series offers timely and topical conferences that draw together experts, practitioners, scholars, policymakers, and youth to discuss some of the most pressing topics of our time."Since its founding, Hiwaraat conferences have faced student criticism. Topics, programs, and speakers were all points of concern. By Fall 2025, in reaction to "Seeing Sudan: Politics Through Art," students raised significant criticisms about the series, voicing concerns about speakers, topics, and the administration's approach to dialogue. What happens when students choose to engage instead of boycott? To not walk out, but sit down? We explore what unfolded during these events and discuss pathways for meaningful student engagement in shaping campus conversations.Special thanks to the contributors to this episode: Zahra Babar, executive director of CIRS; Noon ElSharif (class of 2027); Prof. Magdalena Rostron; Prof. Lynda Iroulo; Ameer Sadi (class of 2028); Farkhunda Fazeylar (class of 2026); Ftaim Al-Qahtani (class of 2026); John Burog (class of 2025); Malak Elmoh (class of 2021); Neilla Uwera and Yasmin Abdul Nasser (class of 2027).This episode was narrated by Remas Alhawari and edited by Ibrahim Absar.
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  Our Future is Ancestral: Professor Nouf Al-Thani on Qatar's Cultural Diplomacy 16.10.2025 19min

  In this episode, Professor Nouf Al-Thani, Deputy Director of Learning and Outreach at Lusail Museum (Qatar Museums), tells the story of Qatar as a cultural diplomat.How did Qatar build an identity that incorporates cultural diplomacy as soft power? How does a nation establish a distinct identity on the international stage? Tune in to discover Qatar's story as told by a Qatari scholar.This interview was moderated by Ibrahim Absar (IECO '26) and Ariba Ashraf (Class of 2029), and narrated by Remas Alhawari (IPOL '26) and Ibrahim Absar (IECO '26).
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  From GU-Q Students to Faculty: Dr. Al-Jufairi and Dr. AlSada on Academia | #037 02.10.2025 48min

  Welcome back to GU-Q Speaks! In this special episode, we explore the inspiring journeys of two alumni who've returned to Georgetown University in Qatar as faculty members. Host Remas Alhawari (IPOL '26) sits down with Dr. Khalid Al-Jufairi (IPOL '09) and Dr. Maryam AlSada (IPOL '12) to discover how they transformed from curious students into accomplished scholars. Hear about their global academic careers, what drew them back to their alma mater, and the unique perspective they bring to teaching at GU-Q—a conversation about homecoming, academia, and the power of coming full circle.
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  Hoya Welcome Week: Voices Behind the Scenes | #036 03.08.2025 13min

  A special collaboration between GUQ Speaks and the Hoya Welcome Week Coordinators! In this episode, host Maryam Al Ansari (Class of 2026) sits down with the dynamic duo behind Georgetown's Welcome Week planning: Panagiotis Dalgiannakis and Hassan Amin, both members of the Class of 2027.Discover what goes into coordinating Welcome Week events as Panos and Hassan share their vision for making the transition to GU-Q as smooth and exciting as possible, while giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the planning process.Whether you're an incoming student curious about what Welcome Week has in store or simply reminiscing about your first days at GU-Q, this episode offers great insights into the community-building efforts that make this campus special.
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  Student Life Core: Voices from Universities Across Qatar | #035 (Arabic Special) 01.07.2025 1val 6min

  Join us for our second Arabic special episode featuring students from both public and private universities across Doha, Qatar. Despite being in a relatively small country, discover how student experiences vary dramatically between campuses, creating worlds of difference. Our guests include Nour Alseaf from Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Jana Al Farra from University of Doha for Science and Technology, and Al Hanouf Al Shammari from the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University, this episode is hosted by Remas Alhawari from GU-Q (IPOL’26)Through authentic student voices, we explore the diverse landscape of university life in Qatar, diving into the unique challenges, opportunities, and daily experiences that shape each campus community. From international branch campuses to local institutions, this episode delves into undergraduate educational journeys. Let us know if you'd like more Arabic episodes or share your ideas for future topics you'd love to hear about!انضموا إلينا في حلقتنا الثانية باللغة العربية، حيث نستضيف طلبة من الجامعات الحكومية والخاصة في الدوحة، قطر. رغم صغر حجم البلد نسبياً، ستكتشفون كيف تتباين تجارب الطلبة بشكل جذري بين الأحرام الجامعية المختلفة، لتخلق عوالم متنوعة تماماً. نستضيف في هذه الحلقة كلاً من نور آل سيف من جامعة كارنيجي ميلون في قطر، وجنى الفرا من جامعة الدوحة للعلوم والتكنولوجيا، والهنوف الشمري من كلية الصيدلة بجامعة قطر، وتقدم الحلقة ريماس الحوري من جامعة جورجتاون في قطر (IPOL'26). من خلال الأصوات الطلابية التي تنبع من وحي التجربة، نستكشف المشهد الثري للحياة الجامعية في قطر ونتعمق في التحديات والفرص والتجارب اليومية التي تميز كل مجتمع جامعي على حدة.شاركونا آراءكم حول رغبتكم في المزيد من الحلقات العربية أو اقترحوا علينا مواضيع جديدة تودون الاستماع إليها!
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  Faculty vs. Feedback: A RateMyProfessor Special | #034 08.06.2025 16min

  As part of our ongoing summer series, we’re handing the mic to the professors and the students. In this episode, Dr. Dennis McCornac, Dr. Akintunde Akinade, Dr. James Olsen, Dr. Santaiago Garcia Couto, and Dr. Karine Walther read their own RateMyProfessor reviews out loud, unfiltered. Some are kind, others are brutal, and a few are just plain weird. Through it all, they reflect on what it means to teach, to be seen (and sometimes misunderstood), and how feedback even when anonymous shapes the classroom experience. It’s candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.We hope you enjoyed this episode. Please leave us your recommendations for future episodes, we take them seriously!
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  Studying Abroad: Washington, D.C. in Retrospect | #033 30.05.2025 48min

  As part of our summer series, we're excited to bring you monthly episodes exploring student experiences from around the globe. This month, we dive into the heart of Washington, D.C., through the eyes of Georgetown University Qatar's Class of 2026 students who spent their fall 2024 semester studying abroad at the main campus.Join us as Jay Pacer (International Politics), Tashafee Masoodi (International History), Farkhunda Fazelyar (Culture and Politics), and Mariaa Sorokina (International Economics) sit down to share their unforgettable tales from their exchange semester in Washington, D.C. What makes this conversation even more special is that the Class of 2026 represents a milestone, the largest cohort to participate in the exchange program, with over 50 students making the journey to D.C.Whether you're weighing your study abroad options, preparing for your own adventure, or simply interested in a fun listen about what being a student is like in the USA, this episode offers valuable insights into what awaits you on the Georgetown main campus. From academic challenges to cultural discoveries, our guests paint a vivid picture of student life in Washington, D.C.Special thanks to Elaha Sadeq for her editing work on this episode.
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  SCC Reflections: Advice, Stories and Confessions from '25 | #032 04.05.2025 53min

  As commencement approaches and the Class of 2025 counts down to their graduation day, we're excited to continue our annual tradition of featuring seniors on our podcast. This year, we collaborate with the Senior Class Committee representing the four majors at GU-Q: Zahra Saboorzadeh (IECO), Maytha Al-Shrame (IPOL), Natali Fanik (IHIST), and John Carlos Burog (CULP).Tune in to hear these accomplished seniors answer your thoughtful questions, share valuable advice for the Class of 2029, and reveal entertaining senior confessions featured from our Instagram page.We say goodbye to our graduating seniors and extend our warmest wishes for success in all their future endeavors.
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  Aftermath of the Referendum: A New Era of Student Politics at GU-Q?| #031 19.04.2025 45min

  In the aftermath of the most contentious SGA amendment in recent memory, this episode revisits the referendum that ultimately led to the amendment’s reversal. But was that the real victory?Join Ibrahim Absar and Kim Chen in an unfiltered conversation recorded shortly after the referendum results were released. They unpack not just the vote itself, but the deeper issues of student representation, communication failures, and the disconnect between SGA and the student body.Why did this amendment provoke such strong reactions? Why was the referendum the only response? And what does the silence that followed reveal about student politics at GU-Q?Now, with a newly elected SGA taking office, this conversation matters more than ever. This isn’t just a recap. It’s a call to reflect.