Center for Humanities and Philosophical Studies - King Khalid University

The Scientific Center for Human and Philosophical Studies is a research and academic training center based at King Khalid University. It focuses on academic scientific research and training in the field of humanities and philosophical studies. The center aims to develop scientific competencies and enhance skills to contribute to civilizational enlightenment and community service.

Personal Information:

• Name: Mohammed bin Salem Al-Shughaibi
• Academic Rank: Associate Professor
• Academic Department: Creed and Contemporary Doctrines
• Contact: msalshehri@kku.edu.sa

Qualifications and Certificates:

• Bachelor's Degree: College of Sharia and Fundamentals of Religion – King Khalid University – 2001.
• Master's Degree: College of Arts and Law (Philosophy and Religions), University of Birmingham (UK), 2007.
• Doctorate: College of Arts and Law (Philosophy and Religions), University of Birmingham (UK), 2011.
• International Fellowship in Global Dialogue: KAICIID Center, Geneva, Austria, 2021.
• Diploma (Learning Leaders): Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, 2022.

Key Professional Experiences:

Key Training Courses:

Key Academic and Research Interests:

• Ancient and modern orientalism.
• Orientalist thought and its impact on modern Islamic and Arab thought.
• Intellectual doctrines and philosophical schools and their development in the West.
• Dialogue among followers of religions and civilizations.
• Religion and cultural diversity.

Vision:

Leadership and excellence in scientific research on civilizational and philosophical studies in accordance with the Islamic vision, societal identity, and values.

Mission:

To conduct research in the fields of humanities and philosophical studies, build civilizations and their cultural components according to the Islamic vision, disseminate philosophical and ethical culture, train researchers, provide training on the fundamentals of scientific thinking, and reconstruct knowledge for the service of Saudi society and its issues.

Objectives:

• Contribute to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 and the strategic research priorities for the Aseer region in particular, and the nation in general.

• Develop the skills and human capabilities of researchers from within and outside the university, and qualify them intellectually and philosophically to fulfill the Kingdom's mission and highlight its civilizational vision in various international forums through active presence in all fields of knowledge and its branches.

• Develop scientific research in humanities and philosophical studies.

• Offer training programs and courses in various topics of philosophy and humanities.

• Prepare specialized competencies in philosophy and humanities.

• Provide consultations and expertise in community development and its issues.

• Instill the spirit of scientific research and critical thinking in societal fields and contribute to solving its problems.

• Develop awareness of pivotal national issues and community and cultural issues in the Aseer region, and contribute to renewing research methods in addressing them.

• Support graduate studies curricula and university scientific research projects in human and philosophical topics.

1. Center Director

2. Scientific Council

3. Center Advisors (Advisory Scientific Committee)

4. Center Units

5. Center Journal

6. Media and Publishing Unit

• Problems of philosophy and critical thinking.
• Issues and problems of human sciences.
• Issues of civilization and Islamic heritage.
• Community issues and social studies.
• Issues of vision, identity, and values.

The Center for Human and Philosophical Studies at King Khalid University consists of four units representing the research areas, as follows:

1. Islamic Heritage Research Unit.

2. Civilization Research Unit.

3. Philosophical Studies Unit.

4. Social Research Unit.

5. Intangible Heritage Unit.

The Center for Human and Philosophical Studies at King Khalid University adopts a comprehensive research strategy in scientific studies and research, as follows:

• Research: Encourage national and local research projects that address problems and issues of national importance. The center can coordinate or directly commission researchers for such projects.

• Specialization: Focus on specialized humanistic research and philosophical studies that serve the community.

• Authorship: Encourage authorship in the center's research areas that address societal and social problems and human issues, offering solutions or mechanisms for dealing with them.

• Translation: Translate specialized scientific books to and from Arabic, aiming to enhance the center's research and scientific objectives, thereby achieving the knowledge society the center seeks.

• Consulting: The center provides specialized consultations to relevant local government and private community institutions related to social fields and service institutions concerned with human issues and critical thinking and its relationship to various fields.

• Development and Training: The center is keen on offering training programs, conferences, local, national, and regional scientific forums, organizing seminars and scientific lectures related to research fields, and holding specialized workshops and high-level scientific exhibitions in the field of humanistic research and philosophical studies in accordance with international standards that suit community needs, through continuous communication with research and training departments in various institutions.

• Guidance and Mentoring: Support King Khalid University graduate students with research projects, provide scientific consultations and academic guidance, and publish their university scientific research at the master's and doctoral levels in Saudi universities.

Central Library - King Khalid University – Al-Fara'a – Abha - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.