Interview with Dr. Emad El-Din Shahin | HBKU
Entity:  College of Islamic Studies
Interview with Dr. Emad El-Din Shahin, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

What is unique about your college’s programs?

With exceptionally designed programs and a rich research ecosystem, the college is a leader in contemporary and applied Islamic Studies and provides a unique platform for faculty and students to contribute to intellectual debates on Islam in a global context. The college currently offers six innovative programs: Master of Arts in Islam and Global Affairs, Master of Arts in Applied Islamic Ethics, Master of Arts in Contemporary Islamic Studies, Master of Science in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism, Master of Science in Islamic Finance; and PhD in Islamic Finance and Economy.

The six programs have a strong multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary graduate education that combines in-depth knowledge of both theoretical and applied ethics rooted in the Islamic tradition.

As well as instilling knowledge in its students, HBKU has a reputation for equipping them to become leaders and change-makers in a rapidly changing world. How does your college help students achieve this?

The courses are not just limited to theory but help tackle real world issues which instill vital skill sets, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical and research skills, within students and help them become effective leaders of today and tomorrow. 

How does the multidisciplinary aspect of an HBKU education make the university stand out?

Working with different disciplines allows students to view problems from multiple lenses, thereby improving their adaptability and flexibility. It also broadens students’ horizons by helping them synthesize their ideas, appreciate the complexity of the current global and local issues, and approach them in a much more nuanced manner.

If I was a prospective student who was considering an HBKU education, what would your college’s biggest selling point be?

Two key aspects to attracting students are student life and academic life. In terms of student life, the college has a diverse culture through its students who are all in different walks of life. The experiences built during the time here are memorable and help the students grow professionally as well. As the programs focus on applied Islamic Studies, the college is equipped with a beautiful mosque that has won multiple accolades for its architectural excellence, providing students with an inspirational environment in which to foster their academic pursuits. In terms of academic life, the college is equipped with some of the world’s finest academicians within their fields to help guide the students through their postgraduate programs. Our scholars not only provide rich insights, but also provide opportunities to students to disseminate their research on global fora and bring with them networks that span the country and the globe for the students’ benefit.


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