Northwestern University in Qatar remains open this summer despite several Middle Eastern countries breaking diplomatic and commercial ties with Qatar, University spokesman Al Cubbage said.

“We are keeping students, faculty and staff at NU-Q informed, and University officials continue to be regularly in touch with the appropriate government agencies in Qatar and the U.S.,” Cubbage told The Daily in an email statement. “The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff are top priorities of the University.”

The Middle Eastern countries — including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates — suspended relations with Qatar last week, accusing the country of supporting terrorism in the region. The nations also suspended air, sea and land travel to and from Qatar, The New York Times reported. At least four countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates, ordered its citizens to leave Qatar.

Qatari officials have denied all allegations made against the country.

Northwestern is one of six U.S. universities with campuses in Education City, which is located on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar’s capital. Cubbage said about 30 returning and first-year students from the affected countries are scheduled to enroll at NU-Q in the fall. A summer program run by NU-Q has approximately 90 students, Cubbage said, and only two of them are from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

Cubbage said the summer session at NU-Q will end this week, and the University will continue to monitor the situation in Qatar and Evanston. Classes will resume at NU-Q in late August.

Medill Dean Brad Hamm and NU-Q Dean Everette Dennis could not be reached for comment.

Email: [email protected], [email protected] 
Twitter: @marianaa_alfaro, @_allysonchiu