Al-Maktoum Institute For Arabic and Islamic Studies, Courses, Achieving Excellence

Achieving Excellence

 As the Institute aims to promote excellence in research, teaching, and consultancy in the field of Arabic and Islamic Studies, all aspects of teaching at the Al-Maktoum Institute are delivered according to the teaching quality criteria of the British Higher Education system. Through its partnership with the University of Aberdeen, the Institute implements the Quality Assurance frameworks that ensure consistency and maintenance of teaching quality standards. 
 
External Examiners

As part of this, all taught coursework for the two Masters programmes (the MLitts in Islamic Studies and Islamic Jerusalem Studies) are externally reviewed by senior academics who are appointed by the University of Aberdeen. 
 
The role of these examiners is to verify academic standards within the taught degree programmes by monitoring the whole assessment process, from the setting of assessment on individual modules, to the formation of judgements on module grades and programme awards. To achieve this, external examiners are asked to scrutinise exam and essay questions, to read coursework written by students, and to attend the exam board meetings.

In his latest report dated 28 August 2005, Dr Jabal M Buaben, our external examiner who was appointed by the University of Aberdeen stated: In his considered opinion the whole programme is of a very high standard.  The quality of work produced by the students is indicative of a sound teaching and learning experience. There was enough evidence that students are familiar with the relevant classical and contemporary sources in the relevant subject areas and are able to make use of these critically in their work.  They have shown awareness of the basics of research methods. The quality of work meets all the requirements of national frameworks and compares favourably with other institutions in the United Kingdom offering similar programmes.

Feedback received from external examiners in the past has been very positive. The minutes of the exam board meetings in February 2003 recorded that:

External Examiners were generally happy with student performance and have considered it to be on a par with other similar Institutions. Dr Hussain Abdul-Raof, senior lecturer in the Department of Arabic and Middle-Eastern Studies at the University of Leeds, stated that he is impressed by the approach taken by the Institute in combining traditional and contemporary modules in teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies. (Subject Assessment Board)

Dr Bustami Khir, senior lecturer in the Department of Theology at the University of Birmingham, informed the Board that he was pleased with the performance of the students. He further stated that the level of teaching and the assessment profile of the modules are comparable with other institutions.

Dr Hussain Abdul-Raof informed the Board that he is pleased with the breadth and balance of the programmes. In particular, Dr Abdul-Raof stated that Al-Maktoum Institute should be credited for using traditional and modern approaches to Islamic studies as it is innovative.

(Course Assessment Board)
A letter from Dr Hussein Abdul-Roaf dated 19 February 2003 indicates a high level of satisfaction with our procedures and quality, and indeed has outlined a ringing endorsement of the Institute: 
 
I strongly believe that your Institute is credited for the variety of courses offered which cover a unique combination of both traditional and modern approaches to Islamic Studies. I believe it is a unique approach which has made your institute distinguished among other British and international academic institutions.

This is what students need in the 21st century.

Visiting Scholars

Since starting the teaching on the MLitt programmes, the Institute has had a number of distinguished visiting scholars participating in its activities. For example, in autumn semester 2002, Dr Anne-Sofie Roald took up a position in the Institute for two months during which time she taught a module on ‘Women and Islam’. Dr Roald is an Associate Professor at Malmö University, Sweden, and has recently published the book Women in Islam with Routledge. At the end of her visit she wrote a report on her experiences which said: 
 
"found that many of the students had a very high profile… The atmosphere among the students and the staff was also one of harmony and good humor…‘The staff would have an open door to students and other staffs’ requests, thus creating an inclusive atmosphere at the Institute. The non-academic staff, such as the reception, played an important role in the creation of a good atmosphere on the Institute and the caretakers were always helpful when asked for help. I always received good treatment from the head of the institute and the assisting manager…‘I have been given full academic freedom to teach in the manner I want and I have appreciated this very much. ‘All in all I had a very pleasant stay both intellectually and personally speaking."
 
We feel very pleased with the steady increase of student intake since the Institute’s conception in 2001. Starting with 12 students, the current number of enrolled students is 38. 
 
The number of students enrolled in taught Masters degrees in the new academic year (2003/2004) is 16. 12 students so far have successfully completed their M.Litt degrees, seven with Distinction; and one student has completed a PostGraduate Certificate.