The Free International University of Moldova (ULIM) had the honor of hosting today, May 22, 2025, His Excellency Dr. Turki Abdulla Al-Mahmoud, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Moldova, on the occasion of a distinguished public lecture entitled “International Affairs and Diplomacy.”
The event took place in the Qatar Auditorium, an emblematic space inaugurated in 2019 with the support of the Embassy of the State of Qatar. The auditorium stands as a bridge between our institutions and reflects shared values of international cooperation and academic exchange.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Valentina Ciumacenco, Vice-Rector for International Relations, emphasized the importance of the event as a testament to the active partnership between ULIM and the Embassy of the State of Qatar, and as a model of academic diplomacy.
The lecture provided valuable insights into current challenges in international relations, modern diplomacy, and global efforts to promote peace, human rights, and inter-state cooperation. Attendees — students, faculty members, and special guests — had the opportunity to engage in an open and substantive dialogue with His Excellency.
Dr. Turki Abdulla Al-Mahmoud is a distinguished diplomat and administrator, having previously served as Director of the Department of Human Rights within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. He has played an active role in both national and international committees dedicated to human rights, international humanitarian law, social equality, and inclusion.
His Excellency holds an impressive academic background, including a PhD in Education from the University of Southern California, three master’s degrees in leadership, public administration, and international law, as well as executive leadership programs completed at Oxford University and the Qatar Leadership Center.
This solid academic foundation, combined with his extensive experience in international diplomacy, human rights, educational policy, leadership, and conflict resolution, positions him as a leading expert capable of offering deep insights into the challenges and opportunities of today’s global landscape.
His lecture offered valuable perspectives on global diplomacy, highlighting the importance of peaceful dialogue, the strengthening of international relations through education, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation.
The event also featured an interactive Q&A session, during which engaged students from the faculties of Foreign Languages, Law, International Relations, Political Science, and Journalism — along with students from ULIM College — stood out through their genuine interest and well-argued questions. Their intellectual openness and curiosity reflected a strong engagement with essential topics such as education, geopolitics, humanitarian diplomacy, and the role of cultural diplomacy.
At the conclusion of the event, on behalf of ULIM Rector Dr. Ilian Galben, Associate Professor Dr. Valentina Ciumacenco, Vice-Rector for International Relations, presented His Excellency with a Diploma of Appreciation in recognition of his valuable contribution to academic dialogue and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
This visit is part of the ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral relations between ULIM and the Embassy of the State of Qatar, continuing the momentum initiated by the courtesy visit of April 16, 2025, during which His Excellency visited the Qatar Auditorium and met with the university leadership.
ULIM reaffirms its strong commitment to promoting international openness, intercultural dialogue, and high-quality academic collaborations — key factors in shaping a new generation of globally-minded professionals.
