Department of Political Science Discusses Doctoral Research Proposal

The College of Arts and Humanities at the Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center - represented by the Department of Political Science and in cooperation with the Deanship of Graduate Studies, held a scientific seminar to discuss the doctoral research proposal submitted by Maher Jamil Khallouf, a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science. The proposal was entitled: "The Role of Regional Powers in Reshaping Syria’s Political System."

The seminar was conducted via Zoom on Thursday, May 14, 2026, with the participation of academics, researchers, and individuals interested in political affairs. The event formed part of the University’s ongoing efforts to support scientific research and encourage specialized studies addressing contemporary political and regional issues.

The proposed study examines the influence of regional powers on the transformations taking place within Syria’s political system. It analyzes the political and strategic interactions shaping the Syrian landscape and explores their implications for the future of the country’s political order amid rapidly evolving regional and international developments.

The research topic attracted considerable academic interest due to its relevance and significance in light of the continuing developments surrounding the Syrian crisis and its complex regional and international dimensions. The study seeks to provide a rigorous scholarly analysis of a subject that remains central to contemporary political discourse.

The seminar committee was chaired by Dr. Khaled Mohammed Ahmed Attia, Head of the Department of Political Science. Committee members included Dr. Tayseer Ibrahim Abu Jomaa and Dr. Hanadi Mohammed Al-Saeed.

The session featured extensive academic discussions addressing the theoretical and methodological aspects of the research proposal. Committee members provided a range of scholarly observations and recommendations aimed at strengthening the study’s conceptual framework and refining its research tools and methodology to ensure the successful achievement of its academic objectives.

At the conclusion of the seminar, the committee commended the significance of the research topic and the effort invested in preparing the proposal, emphasizing its potential contribution to the field of contemporary political studies. The committee subsequently approved the research proposal and wished the researcher success in completing his doctoral dissertation and producing a valuable scholarly contribution to the discipline of Political Science and the Arabic academic literature.