Awantipora, Apr 18: The Department of Islamic Studies, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) organized a program on Future of Islamic Studies in Light of NEP-2020 with the aim to explore the evolving landscape of Islamic Studies within the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with special emphasis on the newly launched Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) in Islamic Studies.
Delivering the keynote remarks, Prof. Ayaz Hassan Moon, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST, stressed the need for adopting innovative pedagogies that resonate with contemporary societal needs and enhance the academic relevance of Islamic Studies. The session was chaired by Dr. Afroz Ahmad Bisati, Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, who called for the promotion of the FYUGP and urged for dynamic curriculum development and active student engagement.
The panel featured scholars including Prof. Hamid Naseem Rafibadi, who advocated for international research collaborations and reinforced the need to expand outreach with affiliated colleges. Prof. G.N. Khaki, Director, International Centre of Spiritual Studies at IUST, emphasized preserving the spiritual core of Islamic Studies in academia, while Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Bhat highlighted the significance of integrating spiritual expressions such as Tawseef into scholarly explorations.
Dr. Showkat Hussain, Head, Department of Islamic Studies, underscored the importance of strengthening outreach efforts and establishing strategic collaborations with institutions like the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) to enhance research funding and academic growth. The program sessions were moderated by Dr. Sheikh Jamil Ali and Dr. Ali Mohammad, and Dr. Riyaz Ahmad proposed the vote of thanks.
Another highlight of the program was a panel discussion on enhancing the relevance of Islamic Studies, exploring career pathways for graduates, and aligning academic curricula with societal and policy transformations.
