Faculties at the International Open University

> IOU Faculties, Departments, Faculty Members, and Instructors

Welcome to the Faculties and Departments Directory of the International Open University (IOU). Here you will find a comprehensive list of our various academic divisions that form the backbone of our institution. Within our academic faculties, we have departments that are led by a department head and staffed with highly qualified faculty members and independent instructors. These staff and instructors all believe in IOU’s goals of spreading authentic Islamic knowledge, and our unique educational approach of blending contemporary subjects with Islamic teachings. By exploring the various sections in this directory, you will learn more about the qualifications of the staff and instructors, and the specific courses they teach.

Welcome Message

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to IOU, where we offer quality education to students around the globe at an affordable cost. The objective of the university is to equip our students with both contemporary and Islamic knowledge to face current and future challenges of the world as Muslims. I am pleased to invite you to take a step towards a better future in your academic and administrative careers by enrolling in our degree programs, which are accredited and uphold the highest international standard of learning. Studying at IOU will help you become a professional by discovering hidden skills with which you might not be familiar. We have excellent instructors at IOU, and our goal is to guide you towards academic excellence by utilizing technology and interactive tools to make education available and accessible to you from the comfort of your home. It is our pleasure to welcome you in any of our faculties ranging from Islamic and Quranic studies to contemporary and modern subjects. I hope and pray that your journey of seeking authentic knowledge begins right here with us, and that it turns into a bond of intellectual excellence that may last your lifetime and benefit your communities.

Dr. Muhammad Ahsan,
Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics

Faculties and Departments

The International Open University offers certificates and degrees in several disciplines spread across various departments. These specialized departments provide comprehensive accredited or non-accredited programs in their respective fields and are divided into two faculties. The first faculty is focused on authentic Islamic knowledge, while the second is on the Islamization of contemporary subjects.

Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies

One of IOU’s guiding principles is the teaching of authentic knowledge from the Quran and Sunnah. On the importance of learning Islam, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him” (Sunan Abu-Dawud). Actively pursuing studies for the attainment of ilm (knowledge) is a virtuous act which will enlighten the heart and fill it with understanding and purpose. The Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies is led by Dr. Muhammad Anwar Sahib and contains the following departments.

Department of Arabic Language
 Learning Arabic is a further step toward learning Islam. This department has programs that have everything you need to start your journey in classical Arabic. As Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said, “Learn the Arabic language. It will sharpen your wisdom.”
Department of Islamic Studies
 Increase your knowledge of the religion from authentic sources based on the Qur’an and Sunnah. This department has programs that prepare students to face challenges with the power of faith, and knowledge to gain the pleasure of Allah.
Department of Quranic Studies
 Dedicated to helping students advance in the noble pursuit of Quran memorization, these programs are designed to teach reading with elocution and reverence. As Allah said, “... and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation" (Surah al-Muzzammil (73):4)

Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Employers are more interested in hiring graduates who possess a combination of professional qualifications and interpersonal skills. These include the ability to communicate ideas, do research, adapt to new technology and business trends, and problem-solving. Interdisciplinary study and the application of natural sciences, social sciences, as well as arts and humanities, give students opportunities to intellectually criticize and apply Islamic principles to contemporary disciplines. The Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences is led by Dr. Mufutau Oyedapo Raufu and contains the following departments.

Department of Business Administration
 Providing comprehensive knowledge of the basic functional areas of business and their related fields, and this discipline offers a distinctive of Islamic principles with corporate training.
Department of Economics & Finance
 Expertise in this field has great relevance and value in the modern world. This department has programs that are for those who wish to become a part of the growing movement for change and better alternatives to interest-based banking and finance.
Department of Education
 Well-trained teachers and educators are of the utmost importance to the Ummah (Muslim community). This department has programs that deliver modern and Islamic education to those dedicated to this noble profession.
Department of Information Technology
 A unique combination of Information Technology and Islamic Studies. Students can fulfill their religious duty of seeking knowledge while also acquiring sought-after technical skills in the modern world.
Department of Psychology
 Become a pioneer in the field of Islamic Psychology. The vision is to train and endow students with the opportunity to learn contemporary trends in psychology and counseling in an Islamic atmosphere.