Department of Islamic Studies Reviews Plans
The Department of Islamic Studies (English Medium) at the College of Islamic Studies, Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center, held an expanded academic meeting to review pathways for developing the educational process during the summer semester. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Manal Mustafa, Head of the Department, and attended by a number of faculty members.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Mustafa emphasized the importance of maintaining academic quality standards, expressing appreciation for the university administration’s continued support and commending faculty members for their efforts in advancing the educational process. She stressed the need for strict adherence to lecture schedules due to the intensive nature of the summer semester, highlighting the importance of avoiding postponements to ensure smooth academic progress. She also called for enhancing classroom interaction and promptly assigning and following up on coursework to maximize the effective use of time.
Dr. Mustafa further praised the role of instructional presentations (PowerPoint) in improving the quality of teaching and engaging students, underscoring the importance of continuously developing teaching methods in line with the requirements of English-medium instruction.
Regarding assessment, the meeting discussed the standards for exam preparation, emphasizing adherence to approved academic guidelines and careful review of exam models before uploading them to the educational portal. The importance of providing multiple versions of each exam and ensuring the presence of faculty members during examinations to address students’ inquiries was also highlighted. In this context, Dr. Zakaria Salem noted that the quality of examinations directly reflects the competence of faculty members and their commitment to achieving learning outcomes, praising the collaborative spirit within the department.
The meeting also reviewed the achievements of the university textbook committee and the introduction of newly developed courses, in addition to emphasizing the importance of continuous follow-up with graduate students and independent study programs to enhance the quality of their academic outputs and research excellence.
The meeting concluded with a call to actively engage with official administrative directives and address technical challenges in coordination with relevant departments, reaffirming the importance of teamwork in achieving continued academic excellence.
