Tribune News Network
Doha
AFG College with the University of Aberdeen hosted a workshop to explore aspects of international commercial law in the new millennium as part of its community outreach event programmes.
The event, which was held at AFG College campus in Doha, brought together a number of senior academics from the University of Aberdeen, legal scholars, practitioners and delegates working across a range of sectors here in Doha.
Guest speakers at the event included those from the world of academia, including Professor John Paterson and Dr Alisdair MacPherson, as well as commerce, including General Counsel for Siemens in Qatar Usman Ansari.
Gianluca Andresani, programme leader of the LLM in International Commercial Law, kicked off the workshop by giving an overview of the law programmes delivered at the AFG College. This led to a very engaging session given by Usman Ansari, who spoke about his main responsibilities and duties in the role that he oversees at Siemens, as well as the mindset and soft skills that in-house lawyers should possess to succeed in the dynamic global environment.
Discussing pertinent issues on the subject matter, Professor Paterson and Dr MacPherson each gave an overview of their academic areas of expertise of corporate governance’s and secured transactions’ theoretical concepts, while addressing the need for grasping the practicalities in a real-life situation.
A discussion ensued whereby delegates were invited to offer their experiences and discuss how the ever-changing global environment needs a flexible and workable legal framework to solve the sometimes seemingly intractable complexities facing organisations and governments.
Speaking at the event, Usman Ansari, Siemens’ General Counsel, said: “In today’s interconnected landscape, equipping in-house lawyers with adaptability, flexibility and a growth mindset is critical for navigating the complexities of global organisations as well as the dynamic markets in which they operate.”
He added, “This focus is a key part of Siemens’ commitment to empowering young professionals, equipping them for the challenges of tomorrow and reinforcing our dedication to community growth and the development of future leaders.”
Professor John Paterson of the University of Aberdeen Law School said, “The event was a perfect example of the excellent relations AFG College enjoys with leading local employers. It was a great opportunity for current and potential students to gain valuable insights from a senior practitioner with regional and international experience, as well as from University of Aberdeen academics about the interface between research and the law in action.”
