| Vision and mission |
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For the University to embark on a journey of continuously challenging learning and improvement there should be a definition of its mission and vision. With respect to the University’s mission, a distinction is drawn between general and specific missions. As for the vision, the University vision has important implications for the students, the University team and external relations. The importance of the University’s mission and vision lies in making clear a stimulating course of development to which everybody within and outside the University can contribute, each in his own way. The University is expected to fulfill its mission and vision, by offering quality academic and professional programmes that ensure a commitment to and a mastery of lifelong learning skills as well as encouraging a spirit of critical enquiry. Without loosing sight of its vision, the IUR formulates the set of goals, general, and specific to be achieved in the few years. Such goals are diverse depending on the function of the actors, students, teachers, the University team, and external parties. The vision describes the University’s destination: its unity of the purpose of the future generations growing as Dutch Muslims within the community. According to the 1997 prognoses of CBS, 10.8 % of the total population of the Netherlands will be Muslim in 2015. Additionally, there are around 430 Islamic foundations and organizations, the majority of which are mosques. Bearing such facts in mind, it is the mission of the IUR to make a contribution to the Dutch multicultural society. Awareness about the Islamic thought-paradigm regarding the relationship between the Human Being and the Creator must lead to a vision about the role of the Human Being in the Universe and the Community. As responsible citizens, Muslims will constructively contribute to the Dutch society, respecting the Dutch laws and the Dutch life style and social circumstances. The IUR wants to contribute to the diversity of the academic education and research in the Netherlands. These two contributions will surely have a positive effect on the development of the multicultural and multi-religious Dutch community. Full integration will be one of the logical results of this afore-mentioned synthesis. Mission More specifically, the mission of the University is:
Vision With the University vision in mind, the students can trust the University in fulfilling their rightful expectations. Likewise, teachers are expected to deal effectively with the students’ individual wishes and needs, introducing them to the Islamic sciences as well as the social science in general using the available means. Students are also expected to be properly advised and informed about the study programs available at the University. Demonstrable quality of service with respect to the study programs and methodologies should be strived for. Students of the IUR should be required to take some important courses to the Dutch context, like for example Islam and cultural diversity in the Netherlands, International perspectives on Islam, Islam and Citizenship, Islam and Public Ethics, and Islam and Environmental Education. The University’s team strives for the continuity and optimization of the educational possibilities available. The University’s team professional cooperation and brotherly spirits belongs are of the highest calibre. The University’s team is characterized by transparent working structures coupled with a professional and mutual respect and attention for each other and for the students clearly justifies such strife. The University’s team tasks and competences are directed towards optimum productivity, encouraging all the co-workers to participate in the strife for the quality of education within the University. External relations are strengthened managing and coordinating teaching responsibilities, and exchanging expertise in the relevant fields of knowledge with institutions outside the University. The University recognizes the importance of covering courses in the Core Curriculum by (visiting) lecturers of Dutch universities and faculties as well. Exchange in terms of expertise, students, and library are some of the most cherished goals of the University. External relations consist in participating in the global world of scholarship, by being receptive and responsive to issues within the international environment, and the participation of international lectures and student bodies. External relations should account for public accountability by ensuring transparent decision-making and open review, especially with respect to financial issues and the full participation of students and academic staff in the development of the institution.
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