Department of International Relations Approves Its Academic and Organizational Plan
As part of its early preparations for the First Semester of the 2026-2027 Academic Year, the Department of International Relations at the College of Arts and Humanities, Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center, officially launched its preparatory activities by holding its first academic and organizational meeting on Sunday evening, June 21, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Professor Dr. Hind Mahrous Al-Galdawi, Head of the Department, and attended by faculty members Dr. Ghada Salama, Dr. Iman Ashri, and Dr. Mohamed Badri, while Mr. Anas Al-Sayyar, Director of Administrative Affairs, served as the meeting secretary.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Hind Mahrous Al-Galdawi welcomed the faculty members and expressed her appreciation for their academic and scholarly contributions during the previous academic year. She conveyed her optimism for another successful year marked by further achievements and emphasized that teamwork, institutional collaboration, and the integration of faculty efforts are fundamental to advancing academic and administrative performance while enhancing the quality of the department's educational programs and scholarly output.
The meeting featured a comprehensive review of the department's preparations for the upcoming academic year. Participants stressed the importance of strengthening communication and continuous coordination among faculty members to support excellence in teaching and research, fulfill the department's vision and the College's mission, and promote continuous institutional improvement in accordance with recognized academic quality standards.
On the academic side, faculty members reviewed the proposed teaching assignments for the first semester, ensuring that course allocations reflected faculty members' areas of specialization, academic expertise, and approved teaching loads while taking individual circumstances into consideration. The preliminary teaching schedule was approved, and Dr. Mohamed Badri was assigned to finalize the schedule and submit it to the College Dean's Office within three working days.
As part of the department's commitment to strengthening institutional governance, participants approved the formation of the Department Council for the 2026–2027 Academic Year, chaired by Professor Dr. Hind Mahrous Al-Galdawi, with membership comprising Dr. Ghada Salama, Dr. Iman Ashri, Dr. Mohamed Badri, and Dr. Ali Sayed. The Council will convene on a monthly basis or whenever necessary to oversee departmental affairs, monitor progress, and support continuous academic development.
The meeting also focused on reviewing and updating course content to ensure alignment with intended learning outcomes and academic quality assurance standards. In addition, several standing departmental committees were officially established. The Department Development Committee will be chaired by Dr. Iman Ashri, with Dr. Ghada Salama and Dr. Mohamed Badri serving as members. The Examinations Committee will be chaired by Dr. Mohamed Badri, with Dr. Iman Ashri as a member. Meanwhile, the Curriculum Specification Committee will be chaired by Dr. Ghada Salama, with Dr. Iman Ashri, Dr. Mohamed Badri, and Dr. Ali Sayed serving as members. Each committee was instructed to prepare a clear operational plan and submit periodic reports to the Head of the Department at the end of each academic semester.
Participants further discussed several initiatives designed to strengthen the department's academic and research activities. These included organizing a specialized academic symposium during the first semester, updating the department's question bank for academic courses, and expanding academic partnerships and research collaboration with relevant institutions. To support these initiatives, the Department Development Committee was assigned to prepare a comprehensive implementation plan for presentation at the next Department Council meeting.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation that supporting innovative initiatives, encouraging creative ideas, and strengthening a culture of institutional excellence are essential pillars for achieving sustainable academic distinction and enhancing the department's scholarly reputation. Dr. Hind Mahrous Al-Galdawi expressed her sincere appreciation to the faculty members for their constructive participation and valuable contributions and encouraged everyone to continue working collaboratively throughout the new academic year.
