On May 23, representatives, members of student committees and volunteers of various IOU divisions from all corners of the world joined Dr. Bilal at the online IOU Global Representative Conference hosted by Br. Mohammed Shajiuddin. The following points were on the meeting’s agenda:

1) Enrollment for Spring 2015

Alhamdulilah, the number of enrollments has increased in comparison to previous semesters. The Islamic Online University has welcomed 1898 new students registering from various countries. Among the top ten are countries such as United States of America, Nigeria, India, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Kenya and others. Special recognition went to the representatives of Somalia and Somaliland who have managed to spread effectively the IOU awareness and in the enrollment numbers passed countries such as United Kingdom, Pakistan or Canada. 

Newcomers come through various sources. Most of the new students have heard about IOU on Facebook and other internet locations. Quite a large portion of students has also heard about IOU programs through their local events.

2) Awareness Week Events:

2.1) IOU KSA. Br. Farhan has shared with the online audience of the Global Representative Conference updates on the events conducted by the IOU KSA in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. All of the events were very successful and majority of the audience were from the non-IOU students. The IOU KSA committee held a small challenge where a person could win $100 USD, which is an equivalent of 1-semester fees, for referring three new students to the IOU.

IOU Awareness week in Riyah, KSA, attended by over 350 participants, included 4-hour workshop, certificates of attendance, course materials, IOU bookmarks, IOU courses introduction and refreshments. IOU event in Jeddah attended by approximately 200 people heard a wonderful lecture of Sheikh Abu Mussab Wajdi Akkari on the topic ‘What Is Your Role in the Ummah’. Dammam’s sister-attendees were pampered to Sr. Bela Khan’s talk on Emotional Empowerment and Sr. Jamila Rahmoune’s on the Names of Allah. IOU KSA Dammam sisters’ student committee has prepared for the guests tables carrying refreshments, craft products, children entertainment and of course IOU promotional materials. 

2.2) IOU USA – Kansas City. An amazing event was organized by Sr. Yasmine Nilofar and her IOU Kansas team. Guest speakers, Sr. Yasmeen Rolland and Sh. Muttahir Sabree, enlightened with their wisdom and knowledge in majority non-IOU audience. Attendees could also enjoy other activities such as face painting; henna for ladies; food, clothes and bake sale. Alhamdulillah local imams and youth also participated in the event, which was heavily supported by the local community.

2.3) IOU Nigeria. Unforgettable successful event has been prepared by the IOU Nigeria committee. The number of attendees surpassed all previous IOU events held in Nigeria so far.

3) Other IOU Committees Updates

3.1) IOU Nigeria. The IOU Nigeria team is currently working towards full recognition of the Islamic Online University by the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja; and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Fountain University, Osogbo, Nigeria, is presently in its final stage.

3.2) IOU Philippines. The IOU Philippines has held the first IOU student general assembly, Islamic Symposium where the Islamic Online University has been introduced to the local community, and fundraising campaign.

4) Student Committee

Sr. Faiza has presented to the online audience the aim of the Student Committee department, which is to enhance the study experience by allowing students to interact locally and contribute to the growth of their University. In order to keep the committees active globally, they have initiated the IOU Awareness Day/Week on February 2013 and it has been conducted regularly each semester ever since. There are approximately 40 – 45 student committees all over the world. Among the exceptional student committee teams are teams from Kashmir, India; Kuwait; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; Maldives; Kenya and others. The upcoming outstanding teams with excellent communication with the Student Committee department are from South Africa, Uganda, Sweden, Germany and New Zealand.

5) Dr. Bilal Philips and His Observation

Towards the end of the meeting, Dr. Bilal Philips, chancellor of the IOU, has shared his insight and words of motivation. In sha Allah, more interactive sessions will be held in the future and all representatives will get a chance to present their reports. IOU representatives are expected to keep in touch with graduating students and support them in enrolling in their local universities for further studies.

Student committees in the countries where private Islamic events are illegal, unless permitted by government, should contact the local organizations and cooperate with them.

6) Awareness Week Winner

The online Global Representative Conference was concluded with the presentation of the IOU Achievement Award for the Spring 2015 semester to Br. Farhan Ahmed Hashmi and his IOU Riyadh team. Runner up is Sister Yasmine Nilofar and her IOU Kansas State team. Congratulations to the representatives and their teams.