Faculty of International Relations and Diplomatic Studies
The Faculty of International Relations and Diplomatic Studies (IRDS) at the National University of Sudan was established in 2016 to meet the growing national and regional need for professionals in diplomacy, foreign policy, and international cooperation. Sudan’s strategic location, linking Africa, the Arab world, and the Red Sea region, has long positioned it as a hub for political, economic, and cultural exchange.
IRDS is the only institution in Sudan offering a full undergraduate programme in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, making it a national pioneer in this field. Since its founding, the faculty has graduated eight cohorts of students, many of whom now serve in government ministries, diplomatic missions, international organisations, NGOs, and the private sector.
Building on Sudan’s geopolitical and cultural advantages, IRDS combines rigorous academic study with hands-on learning in diplomacy, negotiation, and multilingual communication. Languages are recognised as essential tools for developing student competencies and meeting employer needs, ensuring graduates are prepared for the realities of the global job market. Field training and internship programs are integral to the learning process, providing direct exposure to ministries, embassies, international organisations, and NGOs.
In line with global priorities, the faculty integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its courses, training programmes, and research activities, ensuring graduates are not only skilled professionals but also globally conscious citizens who can contribute to sustainable peace, economic development, and social inclusion.
IRDS brings together scholars, diplomats, policy experts, and language specialists in a multidisciplinary academic environment that includes modern lecture halls and a specialised library for international relations and diplomatic studies, simulation and training rooms for negotiations, summits, and press conferences, access to online research databases and global policy resources, and partnerships with ministries, embassies, regional organisations, and international agencies. Through these facilities and collaborations, students gain the academic foundation, practical skills, and ethical orientation to represent Sudan effectively on the global stage while advancing sustainable development principles.
Our Vision
To be the leading center of excellence in international relations and diplomatic studies in Sudan, Africa, and the Arab world, producing graduates who advance peace, cooperation, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Our Mission
To deliver transformative education in international relations, diplomacy, and languages, grounded in the principles of sustainable development, that blends academic rigour, practical experience, and ethical values, equipping graduates to address complex global challenges while advancing Sudan’s national interests.
Our Values
The core values for the Faculty of International Relations and Diplomatic Studies (IRDS):
- Excellence and quality: Commitment to high standards in teaching, research, and practical training, producing graduates who meet international benchmarks.
- Ethics, integrity, and public service: Acting with honesty, transparency, accountability, and a strong sense of duty to the public and national interests.
- Diversity, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity: Respect for diverse cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds; fostering an inclusive learning and working environment.
- Global perspective with local impact: Developing global competencies while advancing Sudan’s regional and national priorities.
- Lifelong learning and adaptability: Encouraging continuous professional development, critical thinking, and responsiveness to changing global dynamics.
- Collaboration and partnerships: Building and sustaining meaningful partnerships with ministries, embassies, regional organisations, international agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
- Evidence-based practice, innovation, and research: Emphasising data-driven decision making, policy-relevant research, and innovative approaches to diplomacy and imaging-related fields.
- Multilingualism and effective communication: Valuing language proficiency and clear, ethical communication across cultures and borders.
- Social responsibility and sustainable development: Aligning activities with SDGs to promote peace, development, and social inclusion.
- Leadership, service, and mentorship: Developing principled leaders who mentor others, foster teamwork, and contribute to public and global good.
Our Objectives
The objectives of the Faculty of International Relations and Diplomatic Studies are to:
- Provide high-quality academic programmes that combine theory, practice, and sustainability awareness.
- Equip students with professional skills in negotiation, protocol, policy analysis, and intercultural communication.
- Promote research that informs policy, advances Sudan’s global role, and contributes to the SDGs.
- Instil ethical leadership, integrity, and commitment to public service.
- Build partnerships that support Sudan’s contribution to regional and global sustainable development.
Departments
Department of International Relations
The Department of International Relations provides students with a strong academic foundation in understanding the structures, processes, and dynamics that shape global affairs. It explores global politics, foreign policy, regional integration, and international political economy, with a clear emphasis on how these domains intersect with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Students learn to critically analyse the policies of states, intergovernmental organisations, and non-state actors, as well as the forces driving cooperation and conflict in the international system.
The courses address:
- Theories of international relations and their application to real-world cases.
- Comparative analysis of foreign policies, with special attention to Sudan and the Horn of Africa.
- The role of economic globalisation, trade, and finance in shaping global power structures.
- Regional integration processes in Africa, the Arab world, and beyond.
- The influence of global institutions such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and Arab League, among others, in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development.
Through seminars, simulations, and research projects, students gain both theoretical insight and applied skills for analysing and contributing to policy debates at national, regional, and global levels.
Department of Diplomatic Studies
The Department of Diplomatic Studies focuses on the art and practice of diplomacy, preparing students for roles in foreign service, international organisations, and non-governmental agencies. The curriculum blends negotiation, protocol, public diplomacy, strategic communication, and intercultural engagement to develop the competencies needed in today’s fast-evolving global environment.
Training emphasises how diplomacy can be used as a tool for advancing peace, security, and the SDGs, highlighting the role of dialogue, soft power, and multilateral engagement in addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate change, human rights, and conflict prevention.
Key areas of study include:
- Diplomatic history and traditions, with practical exposure to contemporary challenges.
- International negotiation and mediation techniques, including conflict resolution in fragile states.
- Diplomatic protocol, ceremonial procedures, and etiquette in bilateral and multilateral contexts.
- Public diplomacy strategies include media engagement and cultural diplomacy.
- Strategic communication skills for advocacy, crisis management, and promoting national interests.
- The role of humanitarian diplomacy and development-oriented diplomacy in supporting the SDGs.
Students participate in field training, internships, and diplomatic simulations, ensuring they graduate with both the professional skills and ethical orientation to serve effectively in high-level policy and negotiation settings.
Department of Languages
Provides intensive training in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, and Chinese.
- Focuses on diplomatic correspondence, translation, interpretation, and public speaking.
- Integrates cultural awareness with language proficiency.
- Graduation requirement professional proficiency in at least two foreign languages in addition to the mother tongue.
- Languages are recognised as vital tools for achieving the SDGs by enabling international cooperation, cultural exchange, and knowledge-sharing.
Educational Philosophy
IRDS blends academic theory, practical skills, and sustainability principles.
- Field training and internships are mandatory, offering placements in ministries, embassies, NGOs, and international agencies.
- Model United Nations (MUN), Model African Union (MAU), and SDG-themed diplomatic simulations are part of the curriculum.
- Students are trained to analyse and address global challenges through the lens of the SDGs, ensuring their work contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.
The Curriculum
Core Subjects, International Relations and Diplomatic Studies
- Foundations of IR & Political Science, Theories of international relations, comparative politics, and political ideologies.
- History & Global Context, World diplomatic history, Sudan’s foreign policy history, postcolonial politics.
- International Law & Organisations, Public international law, human rights law, humanitarian law, UN and regional bodies.
- Foreign Policy & Security Studies, Foreign policy analysis, geopolitics, strategic and security studies.
- Economics & International Political Economy, Global trade, development economics, economic diplomacy.
- Diplomatic Practice & Skills, Protocol, negotiation, mediation, diplomatic communication, consular services.
- Research & Policy Analysis, Research methods, policy evaluation, conflict analysis.
- Language & Cultural Competence, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese; intercultural communication.
- Applied Learning, Field training, internships, Model UN/AU participation, study visits, and a capstone project.
This makes the SDG focus an explicit and consistent part of IRDS’s academic identity, not just an add-on.
The Research Programme
IRDS research priorities include:
- Sudan’s foreign policy and its alignment with the SDGs.
- Regional integration, peace, and security in Africa and the Arab world.
- International law, human rights, and humanitarian diplomacy.
- Conflict resolution and sustainable peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa.
Faculty members produce academic publications, policy briefs, and organise conferences that link Sudan’s diplomatic priorities with global sustainability targets.
Staff List (2025- 2026)
| Name | Academic Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Bakri Karim Musa | Professor | bakriabdulkarim@gmail.com |
| Dr. Majdi El Sheikh | Assistant Professor | magduddin@gmail.com |
| Dr. Mohammed Elmustafa Eldaw | Assistant Professor | elmustafa135@gmail.com |
| Dr. Mohammed Sulaiman Abduallah | Assistant Professor | — |
| Dr. Nader Alfaky | Assistant Professor | — |
| Dr. Salah El Mubarak Yousif (Higher Education Coordinator) | Assistant Professor | Salah.a.y.m@gmail.com |
| Dr. Samiha Saeed | Assistant Professor | samihasd19@gmail.com |
| Ust. Asmaa Gorashi | Lecturer | asma012870@gmail.com |
| Ust. Mishkat Haroun | Lecturer | — |
| Ust. Osama Abdelkarim | Lecturer | osamahassan9494@yahoo.com |
| Ust. Yassir Ziedan | Lecturer | yaser.zeidan@gmail.com |
| Dania Mohammed Monier | Teaching Assistant | Dania.mohammed456@gmail.com |
| Haram Kamal Hamad | Teaching Assistant | hrmkamal88@gmail.com |
| Maaly Hafiz Mohammed | Teaching Assistant | maalyhafiz066@gmail.com |
| Omnia El Junaid | Teaching Assistant | Zeirrajin@icloud.com |
| Sahar Abdelrahman | Teaching Assistant | saharmustafa229@gmail.com |
| Samah Adil Abd El Mutalid | Teaching Assistant | samahadil630@gmail.com |
| Sasan Al Bahi | Teaching Assistant | Sasanelbahi@gmail.com |
| Sulafa (Registrar) | — | — |