Deputy Editor-in-Chief's Introduction

Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah
Journal of Social Affairs,
American University of Sharjah

Six years ago, in this precise place, I sat with the first incoming faculty of the American University of Sharjah, to have the honor of hearing the inspirational vision of our Founder and President, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi. In his very words of launching this great institution, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi charged AUS with becoming “a center of research for educational development and the solution of social problems.” This vision was achieved in uncharted depths, in unprecedented time. This and other parallel accomplishments by His Highness are widely recognized. A year later, Sharjah was declared Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO.

The present international conference on “Globalization and the Gulf” brings together a stellar assembly of authorities, as conceptual catalysts from most renowned institutions of higher learning and research in the UAE, in the region, and in the world. The conference is only one testimony to His Highness’ vision, and a reminder that Sharjah is indeed the cultural capital of the Arab World. The conference is also a sign of the very prominent place that is given education in the United Arab Emirates. Sharjah conveys education not only in the classroom, but also in conferences, museums and in learned societies, to benefit the UAE.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi has kindly agreed to support our intellectual interaction in this conference and honor us with his presence today. We gratefully express how deeply honored we are for his continuous support. His own example of scholarship in the creation of knowledge in all its forms to benefit the people of the Gulf, inspires us to new levels of scholarly achievement.
Thank you, Your Highness.

I now introduce our first speakers for today. Before I yield the podium, I wish to thank those who have unceasingly supported our endeavors to make this conference a reality, namely Chancellor Winfred L. Thompson, Vice Chancellor Amr Abdel Hamid, Mr. Salem Al Qaseer, my co-editor of the Journal of Social Affairs, and conference co-organizer, Dr. Mohammed Al Mutawa, during whose editorship this conference was conceptualized, our partners from the Sociological Association of the UAE, my AUS co-organizer of this conference, Professor John W. Fox. I also wish to acknowledge my most dedicated AUS student assistant Ms. Akkawi, and the Journal's very creative graphic designer (and former AUS student), Ms. Rola Faour. The knowledge generated from this conference will indeed be carried by our students at AUS, who will meld tradition with globalization in the Gulf. A special thought is reserved for former Chancellor Roderick S. French under whose guidance this conference was initiated.