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Center for Humanities and...
A scientific research center headquartered at King Khalid University, concerned with academic scientific research and training in the field of humanities and philosophical studies. It seeks to prepare scientific competencies and develop their skills to contribute to cultural enlightenment and community service.
Personal Information:
Name: Mohammed bin Salem Al-Shughaibi
Academic Rank: Associate Professor
Academic Department: Creed and Contemporary Doctrines
Contact Information: msalshehri@kku.edu.sa
Qualifications and Degrees:
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 (United Kingdom), 2007.
PhD: College of Arts and Law (Philosophy and Religions), University of Birmingham (United Kingdom), 2011.
International Fellowship in Global Dialogue: KAICIID Center, Geneva, Austria, 2021.
Diploma in Learning Leadership, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, 2022.
Key Professional Experiences:
| Position | Organization | Period |
| Director of the Scientific Center for Humanities and Philosophical Studies | King Khalid University | 2024 – Present |
| Supervisor of the Local and International Cooperation Department | King Khalid University | 2023 – Present |
| General Supervisor of the Scholarship Administration | King Khalid University | 2020 – 2023 |
| Supervisor of the International Cooperation Department | King Khalid University | 2019 – 2020 |
| Director of Academic Affairs Administration | Saudi Cultural Attaché – London | 2014 – 2018 |
| Vice Dean of the Community College in Al-Mahala (Formerly) | King Khalid University | 2013 – 2014 |
| Academic Advisor | University of Birmingham – United Kingdom | 2009 – 2011 |
Major Training Courses:
| Training Course | Organizing Institution | From | To |
| Results Based Management: Basic Principles and Processes | Vienna - KAICIID | 1442-11-04 | 1442-11-08 |
| Philosophy and Critical Thinking | The University of Queensland | 1441-04-21 | 1441-05-21 |
| Introduction to Cybersecurity | Information Technology – King Khalid University | 1442-08-18 | 1442-08-18 |
| E-Learning Practitioner | Deanship of E-Learning – King Khalid University | 1443-06-20 | 1443-06-22 |
| Madhhab Adherence (Its Reality and Importance) | College of Sharia and Law – Taif University | 1444-04-29 | 1444-04-29 |
| Religion, Conflict and Peace | Harvard University | 1444-01-10 | 1444-05-18 |
Key Academic and Research Interests:
Classical and modern Orientalism.
Orientalist thought and its impact on modern Islamic and Arab thought.
Intellectual doctrines, philosophical schools, and their development in the West.
Dialogue among followers of religions and civilizations.
Religion and cultural pluralism.
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.
Center Director
Scientific Council
Center Advisors (Advisory Scientific Committee)
Center Units
Center Journal
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.
Scope :
The interest of the Philosophy Chair at King Khalid University is focused on presenting research and translating studies in the fields of: the history of philosophy, epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of science, methodology, philosophy of religion, philosophy of language, Islamic philosophy, and ancient and contemporary philosophies. Furthermore, it is concerned with investigating the areas of interaction between philosophy and other disciplines and arts, whether in the humanities, natural sciences, or technology. It also provides consultations in the philosophy of law and politics, and contributes to the development of the philosophical field locally, regionally, and internationally.
Mission :
To develop specialized philosophical research and enable university affiliates to benefit from distinguished global expertise in the philosophical field, through supporting academic studies, launching research initiatives, building global partnerships, and enriching the academic environment with philosophical dialogues and advanced research methodologies.
Vision :
To be the Philosophy Chair at King Khalid University a leading Saudi and global reference in developing philosophical thought, producing authentic philosophical knowledge, and enhancing the university's standing in the philosophical field regionally and globally, in light of King Khalid University's strategy and the goals of Vision 2030.
Objectives
1. Scientific and Research Objectives
Supporting the production of high-quality philosophical research and scholarly publications in peer-reviewed international journals.
Encouraging interdisciplinary studies between philosophy and various sciences.
The Center for Human and Philosophical Studies at King Khalid University consists of four units representing the research areas, as follows:
Islamic Heritage Research Unit.
Civilization Research Unit.
Philosophical Studies Unit.
Social Research Unit.
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.
Central Library - King Khalid University – Al-Fara'a – Abha - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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.
Establishing specialized research databases in philosophy and the history of different ideas, doctrines, and creeds, with attention to modern technologies supporting the scientific publishing movement.
2. Educational Objectives
Focusing on university courses that enhance philosophical thinking and analytical skills.
Training researchers on the tools of philosophical research.
Supporting the philosophical orientation in postgraduate programs.
Attracting visiting professors and inviting the most important distinguished scholarly figures in the field of philosophy.
3. Cognitive and Cultural Objectives
Spreading philosophical awareness among the general public.
Organizing scientific activities and programs, such as seminars, conferences, and philosophical research circles.
Promoting dialogue on a number of contemporary issues relevant to the contemporary philosophical field.
Linking the Arabic philosophical heritage with modern philosophical trends.
4. Institutional Objectives
Building national and international partnerships that realize the Chair's vision, objectives, and current and future plans.
Attracting distinguished scientific competencies in the field of philosophical studies to support the university's research programs and academic plans.
Achieving integration in the field of philosophical research between the university and research institutions inside and outside the Kingdom.
Contributing to making the university's scientific research outcomes consistent in their objectives and data with the needs of society by building partnerships between the university and governmental and civil institutions.
Assisting distinguished researchers at the university by nominating them for research chairs affiliated with research centers interested in the philosophical field in advanced international universities.
Offering local and international training grants for distinguished postgraduate students.
Qualifying postgraduate students in the field of philosophy with methodological tools in philosophical research to develop and improve outcomes at the local and regional levels, through establishing specialized workshops and training courses.
Future Projects :
1. Research Plans
Launching an annual research project that discusses the most important challenges and obstacles facing philosophy.
Issuing a peer-reviewed philosophical journal.
Issuing an encyclopedia of Islamic philosophy.
Issuing an encyclopedia of the Human Common Ground (The Human Universal).
2. Educational Plans
Preparing specialized diplomas in critical thinking and mechanisms of realistic philosophy.
Creating new courses focusing on Eastern philosophies (Islamic, Indian, Russian, Chinese, Persian, Ancient Egyptian).
Organizing summer programs and cultural forums to introduce philosophical methods and their important mechanisms.
3. Social and Cultural Plans
Establishing a monthly forum gathering those interested in philosophical affairs under the name "Philosophical Dialogues".
Organizing an annual international philosophy forum.
Producing digital content focused on philosophical issues.
4. Institutional Plans
Signing cooperation agreements with the most important international universities.
Hosting internationally distinguished philosophical figures.
Effective communication with the most important international forums, academies, institutes, and associations specialized in the philosophical field, and connecting researchers within the university who are engaged in philosophy with those entities.
5. Innovation Plans
Developing an electronic platform for Saudi philosophical content.
Creating a specialized electronic system for monitoring cognitive bias in scientific research.
Projects Supported By the Chair :
Supporting individual or joint group philosophical research in the various fields of philosophy.
Supporting studies that investigate the relationship of philosophy with other sciences, including the humanities, natural sciences, and technology.
Supporting and publishing distinguished scientific theses related to the Chair's areas of interest.
Supporting authentic translation projects from foreign languages into Arabic, or from Arabic into English and other languages.
Supporting the establishment of databases and specialized digital platforms in philosophical studies.
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.
