Al-Maktoum Institute For Arabic and Islamic Studies, Courses, Key Principles

The philosophy of the programme can be summarised into three key principles:

An expectation of excellence
Creation of a learning community
Commitment to serving communities.

The programme endeavours to foster excellence in teaching, research and consultancy in the fields of Arabic and Islamic Studies, and Islamic Jerusalem Studies. Courses are designed to enable students to get the best out of what is on offer, while at the same time to ensure both students and staff can achieve the highest standards of attainment and fulfilment.

The key will be to provide an environment in which both students and staff are encouraged to think critically and analytically when discussing issues in the context of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Islamic Jerusalem Studies.

The multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-national environment of the Institute will enable expertise from diverse backgrounds to be brought under one roof, thus creating a culture within which learning occurs through evidence based debates and exploration. The creation of a learning community is a central aspect of the philosophy of the programme. All course members are considered to be capable of making valuable contributions to the learning experience of the group. The creation and maintenance of a meaningful learning community is essential to enable course members to commit themselves to the learning process that is necessary on this type of programme.

The learning process, while the formal foundation will be formed at the Institute, will continue beyond qualification. While pursuing the programme, students will be encouraged to participate pro-actively in workshops, seminars and the diverse methodologies being used.

Outside, it is envisaged that students will bring the personal transferable skills developed during the programme to contribute to the further development, growth and application of Islamic Studies and Islamic Jerusalem Studies at academic, social and political stages.

The commitment and the excellence that has been fostered during the learning process at the Institute will then be reflected by the students' ability to bring the knowledge, culture and qualities developed during their academic tenure to their workplace and their surroundings in general.