IUM Celebrates Graduation of First Cohort in Researcher Training Program

Under the patronage of the University’s Vice President, Dr. Omar Ahmed Al-Maqrami, and supervision of Dr. Ali El-Shboul, Director of the Center for Languages and Translation and Director of the Center for Latin American Studies, the Islamic University of Minnesota - Main Center, held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, a graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Latin American Researcher Training Program, alongside the graduation of the first group of students who completed Spanish language studies at internationally recognized levels from A1 to C2.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished academic and cultural figures from the United States, Colombia, and Egypt, in addition to several faculty members of the university, reflecting the international dimension of the program and its academic significance.

On behalf of the University’s Vice President, Dr. Zainab Ali Basyouni, Dr. Ali El-Shboul announced the program’s success and the achievement of its academic objectives, emphasizing that the graduation of this cohort represents the culmination of high-quality scientific efforts aimed at preparing specialized researchers in Latin American studies, equipped with research tools and linguistic proficiency necessary for engaging with international academic sources.

The ceremony also included international Spanish-speaking speakers, including Dr. Palmira Obinas Cardona from the United States, Dr. José G. Daniels from Colombia, and Dr. Ismail Lorenzo from the United States, who praised the program’s quality and its role in enhancing regional and linguistic specialized studies.

The event featured the awarding of certificates of appreciation to graduates and participating guests and was conducted in three languages: Arabic, Spanish, and English, reflecting the program’s multicultural and inclusive approach. Graduates also delivered brief statements in Arabic and Spanish, expressing their pride in this academic achievement and highlighting the program’s impact on developing their research and language skills, as well as opening new academic and professional horizons.

This ceremony marks the culmination of an academic journey aligned with the University’s mission in scientific leadership, cultural openness, and the development of research and linguistic competencies, while strengthening its presence in internationally oriented regional studies.