On July 25, 2015, a general online meeting of all IOU representatives was conducted. This was a second meeting of Spring 2015 semester. The focus of this meeting was on promotional planning and experience shared by representatives of 13 countries. Even though Dr. Bilal could not attend the meeting due to the recording for Africa TV, he is closely following all the updates through the recording of the meeting.  

Sr. Yasmeen Rolland welcomed attendees of the IOU’s online with her inspirational talk on successful planning, which has provided attendees with wonderful and insightful tips on effective representation and promotion of the Islamic Online University.

Next on the agenda were important reminders by Br. Mohammed Shajiuddin, who also presented statistics of conducted Spring 2015 survey showing that promotion is divided to 56.8 % of online promotion and 43.2 % of offline (onground) promotion conducted by representatives, volunteers and students. Dr. Bilal’s Facebook page is the main source of the online promotion. Even though the numbers of onground promotion are very impressive, it is important that representatives and their teams increase their efforts and spread the word effectively. Awareness Day, meetings with volunteers and sub/regional committees, support of newly confirmed students, calling potential students are few of the means of attracting new students through an onground promotion. Hence, it is important for the local committees to explore all potential local promotional platforms. The upcoming Awareness Day, which scheduled for August 22-30, 2015, is an enormous opportunity to promote IOU and such opportunity should not be wasted.

Presentations of IOU representatives from 13 different countries showing important milestones achieved by the onground teams were the highlight of the “All Representatives” meeting. Following is a short summary:

1)      Indonesia – Br. Adi Wira
The Indonesian team has conducted a short Arabic course in the Masjid Syuhada during the month of Ramadan where IOU was promoted by giving out brochures. The general promotion of the IOU is done through students and volunteers, who distribute promotional brochures and posters locally, and through email and postal services, and calling. Many Indonesian registrants have difficulty following the registration process; hence, the IOU Indonesia team needs to address this issue further.

2)      Kenya – Br. Twahir
The efforts of the IOU Kenya team are concentrated on registered students to continue their education. The IOU Kenya team was also very active conducting various events such as Iqra Initiative, Ramadhan shopping and Ramadhan kids camp. Br. Twahir was invited by the Islamic Supreme Court of Zambia to Zambia, visited by Dr. Bilal, to help increase the standard of Islamic education there through the IOU. The accreditation of the IOU in Zambia is currently in process.

3)     Nigeria – Br. Nura
The IOU Nigeria team has been very active especially during the month of Ramadhan conducting various events and programs, and creating ties with international and local Islamic scholars, university lectures and local traditional rulers. IOU Nigeria team has implemented a new method of promotion ‘Caller Feel’, where an IOU message is displayed to the caller before the phone is picked up. The biggest achievement is the signing of the MoU with the Al-Qalam University, Katsina. Currently, the IOU Nigeria team is preparing a mass promotion of IOU in all states of Nigeria and working on recognition of IOU by the Nigerian Government.

4)     Canada – Br. Mubarak
The IOU Canada has promoted the University greatly at various conferences and events such as Reviving the Islamic Spirit, Being ME, Sound Hearts, Muslim Fest, and Carry the Light Conference. Other promotion is done through information sessions, student meetings, presentations at Islamic schools, Ramadhan adhkar cards distributions, pamphlets, posters, ads and displays.

5)     Somaliland – Br. Saed
The IOU Somaliland has divided its promotional strategies to internal and external. The internal is concentrating on current students and student support, while the external looks at public, private and civil sectors of society. Intensive English Course, which is one of the IOU courses offered in Somaliland, is becoming very popular especially due to a favorable cooperation of the government.

6)     USA – Sr. Yasmeen
The promotion of IOU in USA is also very active; the IOU brochures are on a display in various masjids and Islamic centers, bookmarks are distributed to bookstores who give them away for free with every purchase, and booths are set up at conferences. Sr. Yasmeen shared her tips on effective promotion by keeping brochures handy e.g., having some always in the car; visiting masjids while traveling and establishing ties with local imams; displaying materials and setting up booths at main or entry halls; knowing the competition and personally representing IOU in the best light by the best possible appearance and character. She has also spoke about her efforts promoting the MA program of IOU at the ISNA Educators Forum by not simply waiting for people to come to the booth, but reaching out and addressing people first which has been very effective. Sr. Yasmeen has also seized the opportunity to promote IOU during Bonyan Conference, Sweeden, where she was a speaker, by setting up a booth there. Hence, representatives who are also speakers should maximize such opportunities.

7)     USA – Sh. Mutahhir Sabree’s
The USA presentation included Sheikh Mutahhir Sabree’s introduction to the IOU Prison Initiative, which currently has over 600 inmates enrolled. Participating full-time and volunteering chaplains are Muslims as well as non-Muslims. While the initiative is facing some challenges from some local authorities, many inmates have expressed their joy over this program through various correspondence. Any representatives interested in implementing this program in their countries should contact IOU and Sh. Sabree for more details.

8)     Philippines –  Sr. Jamilah
The IOU Philippines team is striving to become one of the leading pioneers in the placement of halal industry in the Philippines through training and education, which may lead to accreditation as one of the halal training centers. Additionally, The IOU Philippines has recently acquired a “SEC” (Securities and Exchange Commission) license permit.

9)     Gambia – Br. Ousainou
The IOU is very popular in the Gambia with the support of the local government. The IOU main onground course is the Intensive English Course. Year 2015 should see introduction of many professional courses. Currently, a fundraising for new office is taking place (http://www.gofundme.com/IOUGambia).

10)     Malaysia – Br. Sufri
Promotion of the IOU has been done at two big masjids in Kuala Lumpur. During the visit of Dr. Bilal to Malaysia, meeting with IOU students has been set up and also successful broadcast of Dr. Bilal though ‘TV Al-Hijrah’. The IOU Malaysia team is preparing a meeting with the IOU students where Sheikh Hussein Yee will give talk. In sha Allah.

11)     Qatar – Br. Afzal
The communication among the IOU students and members of the IOU committee is conducted by Whatsapp groups, meetings, FB, e-mails and bulk SMS. The IOU Qatar team has also prepared an outing for the IOU families, distributed Ramadhan cards, flyers and held an orientation session.

12)     Russia – Br. Arslan
The IOU Russia team is using FB and vk.com for the online promotion as well as local newspapers, da’ees and other promotion channels. The Russian team is working on the translation of the IOU program. Currently, four semesters (BAIS) were translated and two set up.

13)     New Zealand – Sr. Mariam
The Eid day was an opportunity used by the IOU New Zealand team to reach out to the local community and introduce IOU. The IOU New Zealand team hopes to start promoting IOU at non-Muslim dominated events, community gatherings and markets also. 

14)     Sierra Leone – Br. Ahmad Barrie
Pictures of the new IOU office set up from the online donation were shown to the audience as Br. Ahmad was not present due to an emergency family situation.

The almost 4-hour meeting was concluded by the appreciation and thank you word of Br. Mohammed Shajiuddin.