New Delhi, September 9 , 2024: The Hamdard Institute of International Studies (HIIS) at Jamia Hamdard, in partnership with “Educators without Borders” from Abu Dhabi, UAE, kicked off an impactful two-day programme titled “UAE Cooperation Lecture Series” at the Hamdard Convention Centre in New Delhi. This initiative underscores Jamia Hamdard’s dedication to fostering global educational collaboration, cross-cultural understanding, and advanced pedagogical practices. The event provided valuable insights into teacher development, strategic planning, and leadership, aligning with the university’s mission to enhance its educational framework. The collaboration with Educators Without Borders, the Manara Centre, and the World Muslim Communities Council paves the way for future student and faculty exchanges, research partnerships, and joint initiatives, reinforcing Jamia Hamdard’s status as a beacon of innovative education.

In his presidential remarks, Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, highlighted the transformative power of educational partnerships. The event commenced with a rousing welcome address from Dr. M.A. Sikandar, Registrar of Jamia Hamdard, setting the stage for a series of engaging sessions. Prof. Zikrur Rahman, Founding Director of the India Arab Cultural Centre and former Indian Foreign Service Officer, delivered the inaugural address. The session was wrapped up with a vote of thanks from Prof. (Dr.) Syeedun Nisa, Director of HIIS.

The first day’s sessions featured Ms. Mahra Saeed, Executive Coordinator of Educators Without Borders, who led an interactive discussion on the professional development of educators. She stressed the necessity of integrating innovative technologies and skills to navigate the evolving educational landscape. This session, moderated by Dr. Shireen Zafar, Assistant Professor at Jamia Hamdard, sparked dynamic conversations about Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and the future of technology in teaching.

Following this, Ms. Bakhita Al Remeithi, Executive Director of the Manara Centre for Coexistence & Dialogue, delved into strategic educational planning with a focus on conflict resolution. Her session emphasized the alignment of the Manara Centre’s mission with Jamia Hamdard’s objectives, addressing how educational settings can foster cooperation and mitigate conflicts. The discussion, moderated by Mr. Shivam Bahuguna, Assistant Professor at HIIS, was attended by Janab Hammad Ahmed, Hon’ble Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard.

The second day of the series was marked by a welcome address from Dr. Fazlur Rehman, Assistant Professor at the Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard. The sessions on this day centered on leadership and coexistence, with an emphasis on religious dialogue and leadership in education. Dr. Hasan Al Marzzouqi, Assistant Secretary-General of the World Muslim Communities Council, UAE, led a session on the role of education in promoting interfaith dialogue and combating hate speech. This was moderated by Prof. Syeedun Nisa and Prof. Zikrur Rahman, who shared their extensive insights on the subject. The day concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. M.A. Sikandar and a stirring rendition of the national anthem.

This successful partnership signifies a substantial stride towards achieving Jamia Hamdard’s educational objectives, fostering an environment where education bridges gaps, encourages collaboration, and drives progress.