From left: Dr. Robert Bianchi, Dr. Akin Akinade and Dr. Muhammad Modassir Ali
Doha: Faculty researchers at VCUarts Qatar, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), and Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) have launched an innovative project that aims to create new opportunities for meaningful inter-institutional engagement between students and scholars through a multiversity grant from the Higher Education Division at QF.
Led by Dr. Robert Bianchi from VCUarts Qatar in collaboration with project team members Dr. Akintunde Akinade from GU-Q and Dr. Muhammad Modassir Ali from HBKU, the 'Higher Ed. Cross-Course Reading Activities' project moves beyond cross-registration to create a “cross-course” reading approach that allows students to interact while staying in their own classes.
Each professor assigns the same readings in comparative religious studies to their individual classes, with special seminars that bring all participating students together for discussions and an exchange of ideas.
“Students from different majors at different EC institutions rarely have opportunities to engage with each other academically unless they cross-register, which is not an option for many students due to conflicting schedules,” said Dr. Bianchi, reflecting on his inspiration for the project.
Dr. Akinade noted the benefits of cross-course collaboration that capitalises on interdisciplinary learning, saying: “Students are naturally curious, not just about course content, but about each other as well. They don’t want to just read. They want to engage, to discuss. This learning approach allows them to explore complex religious topics and to discuss them in a diverse and dynamic inter-institutional setting.”
Dr. Ali has an ongoing research interest in comparative religious studies. He notes, “Through this programme, students at HBKU are exposed to religious pluralism and the diversity of religious belief while gaining a deeper appreciation for their own religious beliefs in an academic context.”
