The Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Muslim and Arab Sciences (SIFHAMS) at the University of Sharjah has successfully concluded the fifth edition of the International Graduate Winter School 2024, held under the theme “Scientific Tradition in Islamic Civilization.” The seven-day program brought together approximately 370 postgraduate students, with 50 attending in person and around 320 participating virtually.
Organized in collaboration with the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST), the program also featured academic partnerships with several prestigious institutions, including the Warburg Institute at the University of London, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Uskudar University in Türkiye, King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, MES Mampad College in India, and the Physics Institute at the University of Cologne in Germany.
Prof. Youssef Al Haik, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Sharjah, welcomed participants and emphasized the Winter School’s role in strengthening academic cooperation among international universities, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering scholarly networks among postgraduate researchers worldwide.
The program featured two scientific lectures daily, followed by interactive discussions and specialized workshops. Distinguished lectures were delivered by leading scholars, including Prof. Alparslan Açıkgenç (Uskudar University), who spoke on the concept of knowledge in Islamic civilization; Prof. Mashhad Al-Allaf (University of Sharjah), who explored philosophical texts from Al-Kindi to Muhammad Iqbal; and Prof. Charles Burnett (Warburg Institute), who examined the translation movement from Arabic into Latin.
Additional contributions included Prof. Maamoun Saleh Abdukarim (University of Sharjah), who highlighted the importance of heritage preservation in Islamic civilization; Prof. Hisham Mortada (King Abdulaziz University), who discussed Islamic architecture and its global influence; and Prof. Nader El-Bizri, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UoS, who addressed philosophy of arts and architecture in Islamic thought. Other lectures covered topics in psychology, mathematics, and astrophysics, presented by scholars from India, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UAE.
As part of the program, participants visited SAASST facilities in the presence of Prof. Mesut Idriz, Director of SIFHAMS, and Prof. Mashhoor Al Wardat. The visit included tours of scientific exhibitions and the Sharjah Planetarium, showcasing the latest advancements in space science alongside historical instruments such as the astrolabe, reflecting the rich legacy of Islamic scientific heritage.
The Winter School also featured an observational field experience in the Mleiha Desert, organized in cooperation with the Emirates Astronomical Society. Participants learned about constellations, telescope operation, and had the opportunity to observe planets and stars under guided astronomical supervision.
