Free International University of Moldova (ULIM) had the honor of hosting His Excellency Dr. Turki Abdulla Al-Mahmoud, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Moldova, on May 22, 2025, on the occasion of delivering an exceptional public lecture on the topic “International Business 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, which serves as a bridge between our institutions and reflects the values of international cooperation and academic exchange.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Valentina Ciumacenco, Vice-Rector for International Relations, highlighted the importance of the event as an expression of the active partnership between ULIM and the Embassy of the State of Qatar and as a model of academic diplomacy.
The public lecture provided valuable insights into current challenges in international relations, modern diplomacy, and global efforts to promote peace, human rights, and cooperation between states. Participants—students, faculty, and special guests—had the opportunity to engage directly with His Excellency in an open and intellectually rich dialogue.
Dr. Turki Abdulla Al-Mahmoud is a distinguished figure with a remarkable diplomatic and administrative career. He previously served as Director of the Department for Human Rights within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar and has played an active role in 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 preparation, along 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 insight into the challenges and opportunities of today’s global landscape.
His Excellency’s lecture offered valuable perspectives on global diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of peaceful dialogue and the strengthening of international relations through education, mutual respect, and strategic cooperation.
The event also featured an interactive Q&A session, during which enthusiastic students from the faculties of Foreign Languages, Law, International Relations, Political Science, and Journalism, alongside students from the ULIM College, stood out with their genuine interest and well-reasoned questions. They demonstrated intellectual openness and curiosity about essential topics such as education, geopolitics, humanitarian diplomacy, and the role of cultural diplomacy.
At the end of the event, the Vice-Rector for International Relations, Associate Professor Dr. Valentina Ciumacenco, on behalf of ULIM’s Rector, Associate Professor Dr. Ilian Galben, presented His Excellency with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his valuable contribution to academic dialogue and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two states.
This visit is part of the ongoing consolidation of bilateral relations between ULIM and the Embassy of the State of Qatar, continuing the efforts initiated during the courtesy visit on April 16, 2025, when His Excellency visited the Qatar Auditorium and held a meeting with the university leadership.
ULIM reaffirms its strong commitment to promoting international openness, intercultural dialogue, and high-quality academic collaborations—essential factors in shaping a new generation of globally-minded professionals.
