The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Al-Maktoum offers real excellence
The Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education is offering a dynamic and challenging range of courses that start in September.
The independent and internationallyrecognised research-led centre of excellence in Dundee has formalised them in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The six full-time, SCQF credit-rated courses have been devised to appeal to as wide a selection of potential candidates as possible.
Among the subjects are a professional diploma in Islamic economics and finance, advanced diploma in the study of Islam and Muslims, advanced diploma in Arabic, a diploma in the language, certificates in Arabic and an introductory certificate to the language.
The professional diploma is intended for students who wish to pursue a qualification in the field of Islamic economics, finance and banking while the advanced diploma in the study of Islam and Muslims is relevant to any candidate who wants to learn about the communities or societies in conjunction with other religions.
The diploma and advanced diploma in Arabic language are customised awards, which will assist students who are eager to become familiar with certain aspects of Arab culture, society and history at a high level.
The certificate and introductory certificate in Arabic language are awards aimed at helping students acquire a good command of the language used in everyday social conversations, current affairs and job-related situations.
The college is currently running informal Beginners’ Arabic classes for those who wish to start the SQA accredited courses that get under way on September 21.
Principal and vice-chancellor at Al-Maktoum College, Dr Hossein God azgar, said: “The college is continually seeking to advance overall learning and understanding.
“We believe these diverse courses represent a significant educational development that we trust students will find both stimulating and dynamic.
“Overall, these courses fit well into our ethos and commitment to teaching and research, and we aim to develop these programmes further.”
Established in 2001, Al-Maktoum College is a not-for-profit educational charity and one of the small number of private colleges of higher education in the UK.
Its aim is to bridge cultures and understanding between the Muslim and western world by focusing on education, research, debate and scientific understanding of Islam and the role of Muslims in the 21st Century.
It fully embraces multiculturalism and religious pluralism while valuing equally all human beings regardless of their religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, class, disability and cultural background.
This approach and consideration lies at the centre of all of the institute’s activities.
A total of 175 students from more than 30 countries, including Scotland, have graduated from the college to date – and all speak highly of their experiences in Dundee.