Qatar Campus Closure: Texas A&M University's Decision Amidst Regional Challenges

Texas A&M University is set to shut down its Qatar campus by 2028, citing "heightened regional instability," according to a statement from the university board. In response, Qatar has criticized the move as "misguided" and influenced by a disinformation campaign. 

The decision to close the Qatar campus is part of Texas A&M's strategy to focus primarily on its core mission within Texas and the United States. While the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, particularly the war in Gaza, is a contributing factor, the university also faces increased criticism regarding Qatar's ties to Hamas. 

The Qatari government pays hundreds of millions of dollars in operations costs to the universities each year and in return, the branches provide elite higher education for hundreds of Qatari students as well as others from around the region. 

Texas A&M, present in Qatar since 2003 as part of the Education City operated by the Qatar Foundation, others include U.S. universities like Georgetown, Northwestern, Cornell and Carnegie Mellon. Bill Mahomes, the chairman of the university board, explained, "The board has decided that the core mission of Texas A&M should be advanced primarily within Texas and the United States." 

The decision comes amid congressional scrutiny of funding to U.S. colleges from foreign countries, including Qatar, due to concerns about rising anti-Semitism on U.S. campuses post-Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel. 

In December 2023, the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) released a report claiming that Qatar might have an impact on nuclear research conducted at Texas A&M. 

Allegations from a global anti-Semitism watchdog have added to the controversy. Both Texas A&M and the Qatar Foundation have vehemently denied these claims. 

The Qatar Foundation expressed disappointment, stating, "It is deeply disappointing that a globally respected academic institution like Texas A&M University has fallen victim to such a campaign and allowed politics to infiltrate its decision-making processes." 

Senior management at Qatar Foundation and Texas A&M University in Qatar clarified the "absurdity" of claims regarding nuclear research, emphasizing that no such research is conducted at the Qatar campus. Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh clarified last month, "Contrary to what these articles have implied, no nuclear technology, weapons/defense or national security research is conducted at this campus." 

Texas A&M in Qatar focuses on courses in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering.

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