Professional Education at the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations

Professional Education at AKU-ISMC seeks to promote a sound understanding of Muslim cultures through an intellectually stimulating and inspiring survey of the histories and cultures of Muslims using the tools of the social sciences and humanities.

The Institute offers a series of survey courses on Muslim cultures, Exploring Muslim Cultures.

Exploring Muslim Cultures is a two-level course which provides an overview of Muslim cultures as they have evolved over time, and in their contemporary contexts. A range of Focused Courses, on a number of specific subjects related to Muslim cultures, will also be offered.

Certificate and Other Professional Education

The Institute’s Certificate Courses and other Professional Education focuses on meeting specific needs by developing expertise in particular areas. Through its professional development initiatives, the Institute seeks to have an impact in a variety of arenas.

Audiences, both past and planned, include diplomats and government decision and policy-makers, lawyers, teachers and educators, journalists and others in the field of media and communications.

To date, AKU-ISMC has offered Certificate Courses for teachers in Pakistan as well as a number of courses for diplomats in Canada and Germany.

Expressions of Diversity - a Summer Programme

In summer 2008, AKU-ISMC, with the Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures at Study Simon Fraser University held a summer programme on Muslim cultures, Expressions of Diversity.

Held in Vancouver, Canada, the summer programme aimed to provide a window into the diversity of the cultural and social productions of Muslims, past and present. Bringing together specialist scholars on a variety of topics, the summer programme aimed to provide an overview of the historical contexts of Muslim cultures, while exploring contemporary situations and challenges.