College of Development Studies Reviews Preparations for the New Semester
The College of Development Studies at the Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center held an expanded meeting on the morning of Wednesday, June 17, 2026, bringing together faculty members, department chairs, and their deputies under the chairmanship of the Dean of the College, Dr. Yousef Mohammed Faleh Bani Younes. The meeting was part of the College's preparations for the launch of the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year and focused on reviewing academic and administrative plans aimed at strengthening educational quality, advancing scientific research, and promoting institutional development.
Opening the meeting, Dr. Bani Younes welcomed the faculty members, particularly those who had recently joined the College, expressing his appreciation for the continued support provided by the University leadership. He also commended the efforts of the academic and administrative units in advancing the College's programs and enhancing the quality of its academic performance.
Dr. Bani Younes reviewed the College's most significant achievements over the past three years, highlighting the expansion of its academic programs, the steady growth in student enrollment, and the establishment of the Department of Nonprofit Management and the Department of Humanitarian Relief and International Development, alongside the existing departments. These developments, he noted, reflect the College's commitment to responding to contemporary development needs and the evolving demands of both local and international labor markets.
During the meeting, Dr. Bani Younes announced the appointment of Dr. Mohannad Sami Badawi Babaker as Chair of the Department of Nonprofit Management. He explained that the appointment is intended to strengthen the Department's academic performance and support the College's strategic direction toward expanding English-medium programs for international students following the recruitment of highly qualified faculty members.
Participants emphasized the importance of adhering to the academic plan and ensuring that classes begin as scheduled from the first day of the semester. They also stressed the need to enhance teaching practices through the effective use of educational technologies, active learning strategies, and the promotion of classroom dialogue and critical thinking to improve learning outcomes and meet academic quality standards.
With regard to graduate studies, the Dean underscored the importance of maintaining regular supervision of master's and doctoral students and preparing periodic reports on their academic and research progress to ensure high-quality supervision and distinguished research outcomes.
The meeting also reviewed the College's plan to encourage scholarly authorship and the development of university textbooks aligned with approved course specifications. In addition, participants discussed the establishment of a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to the College, which will serve as a credible platform for publishing research and promoting the scholarly contributions of faculty members and researchers.
The participants further discussed recent updates to the University's academic promotion system, encouraging faculty members to continue conducting research, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and participating in scientific conferences to support their professional development and strengthen the College's research profile.
As part of the College's efforts to enhance the learning environment, the meeting emphasized the importance of utilizing the College's repository of textbooks and course materials while promoting the exchange of educational resources and expertise among faculty members. These initiatives are intended to support curriculum development and build a shared academic knowledge base that enriches teaching and learning.
The meeting also reviewed procedures related to faculty compensation and teaching remuneration, emphasizing the importance of completing the required administrative and banking information to ensure the timely processing of financial entitlements in accordance with University regulations.
The meeting concluded with an open discussion session during which faculty members presented a number of proposals and recommendations aimed at further enhancing academic and administrative performance and strengthening collaboration among the College's academic departments. These efforts support the College of Development Studies' mission of preparing highly qualified professionals and reinforce its position as one of the University's leading colleges in the fields of development and humanitarian studies.
