On Wednesday, Feb. 21 Texas A&M University President Welsh issued a statement addressing the Board of Regents’ vote to close A&M’s Qatar campus by 2028.

In his statement, Welsh said media reports on Qatar’s campus research did not influence the Board’s decision. 

“I believe I was very clear in refuting that information when it came out, and the regents were also clear in saying that it did not have any influence on their decision,” Welsh said. 

Qatar is the only remote campus outside the United States, and the regents’ decision directs us to maintain campuses in the U.S., Welsh said. 

“This will enable us to focus on the university’s land-, sea- and space-grant mission,” Welsh said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to move away from international collaboration or research or solving global problems. The global exchange of research and education will continue to be integral to our world-class campuses here in the U.S.” 

Welsh said A&M’s faculty, staff and students in Qatar remain a priority with a transition team being mobilized last week, which will be chaired by Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs Dr. N.K. Anand.

“This team will work with Qatar Foundation to begin the multiyear wind-down process,” Welsh said. “Beyond the formation of this team, no major programming decisions have been made and there are still many unknowns, but we are committed to minimizing disruptions for our Aggie Family in Qatar and addressing their questions and concerns in a timely manner.”