Department of History and Archaeology Holds Faculty Meeting
Dr. Siham Abdulbaqi Mohammed, Head of the Department of History and Archaeology at the College of Arts and Humanities at the Islamic University of Minnesota, held a meeting for the faculty members of the department on Friday, October 18, 2024, corresponding to 15 Rabi' al-Thani 1446 AH.
Dr. Siham opened the meeting by greeting the senior faculty members, congratulating them on the conclusion of the first semester and praising their diligent efforts in serving the department's students. She also welcomed the new faculty members, who introduced themselves, their specializations, and the foreign languages they would be utilizing in teaching courses offered in those languages.
During the meeting, which was held to mark the end of the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year, several important topics were discussed, with a particular focus on preparations for the final exams. Dr. Siham emphasized the necessity for faculty members to be present in their respective locations during the exams, as it is a professional obligation and a fundamental right for students to feel supported and assured by their instructors.
Regarding the process of submitting grades on the portal, it was confirmed that grades should be submitted as soon as the results are available. It was also stressed that assignment grades should be submitted before the exams without delay, particularly for those who were unable to submit them earlier, and to consult with the department head in case of any issues. Dr. Siham highlighted the importance of being prepared for the second semester, noting that initial indicators suggest that the curriculum for the old system (History and Civilization) will be self-directed, while new enrollments may open for the (History and Archaeology) program for new students.
The meeting also discussed the curriculum committee's plan for the upcoming period. Dr. Siham thanked the committee members and explained that they are in the process of preparing course descriptions for approval, which will serve as a stable reference for all faculty members in the department. It was decided to hold a special meeting for the committee members next week to establish a timeline for completing their work and finalizing the course descriptions.
Additionally, the resumption of scientific activities by the department's scientific activities committee was discussed. Dr. Mohammed Said Athmnaeh, a member of the committee, presented the preliminary plan for the new year, which included key topics such as:
1. Historians and History Makers.
2. Methodology of Scientific Research in Historical Studies.
3. The Role and Importance of Islamic Civilization and Sciences in Advancing Nations and Human Societies.
4. Historical Studies in the Age of Digital Revolution and Artificial Intelligence – New Perspectives.
It was decided to take necessary actions to conduct and implement these scientific activities, given their importance in promoting the field of history and attracting new students to the department.
At the end of the meeting, attendees exchanged expressions of appreciation and gratitude, renewing their welcome to the new colleagues in an atmosphere filled with love, brotherhood, and mutual respect.
Among those present at the meeting were faculty members: Dr. Walaa Mohammed, Dr. Nourhan Salama, Dr. Solaf Fayez Allah, Dr. Nabawiya Abdulhafez, Dr. Ibrahim Badr, Dr. Jihan Al-Zarqa, Dr. Mohammed Said Athmneh, Dr. Mahmoud Lashin, Dr. Ismail Mohammed, Dr. Nasreen Abdo, Dr. Marah Al-Burghash, and Ms. Samira Al-Saghir, the administrative affairs officer of the College of Arts and Humanities.