Education

The Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (AKU-ISMC) seeks to create an environment for scholars to engage in research on the future of education in and about Muslim contexts. The challenges facing education in Muslim settings and concerning Muslim studies are enormous, and the importance of reform cannot be understated.

Education about Muslim heritages and cultures

From 2006, AKU-ISMC has offered an MA in Muslim Cultures, which provides an approach to the study of Muslim civilisations within a framework of world cultures, allowing for a wider analytical and comparative perspective while utilising the tools of the humanities and social sciences. Through the MA in Muslim Cultures, the Institute is developing a model of education about Muslim cultures and heritages.

The Institute's other educational programmes, including its short courses, also serve as educational models that will be further studied and refined over time.

The prevailing education about Muslim civilisations in both Muslim and non-Muslim contexts is felt by many to be lacking in application of rigorous academic norms and not fully representative of the rich cultural heritages of Muslims. In seeking to address this concern, the Institute's work will engage with institutions and organisations at all levels of the education system to explore alternative educational models.

Higher education

Noting the importance of higher education to the development of knowledge, skills and socio-economic development, and being itself an institution of tertiary education, AKU-ISMC places emphasis on research and sharing knowledge about higher education in developing countries, in particular countries that have a majority Muslim population.

The importance of research into education in Muslim contexts at AKU-ISMC is aligned with the Aga Khan University and Aga Khan Development Network's emphasis on the need for development in this field.