Academy of Divinity and Science – QUESTION. UNDERSTAND. EXCEL

Introduction

The Academy of Divinity and Science (hereon referred to as the Academy) stands at the forefront of a pioneering educational endeavour, guided by the tagline: Question. Understand. Excel. This motto encapsulates the Academy’s ethos, inviting students to embark on a journey of inquiry and discovery at the intersection of Islamic theology, philosophy, and the modern sciences. The Academy is dedicated to creating a space where questioning is encouraged and seen as the first step towards understanding and excellence in both personal and intellectual growth. The Academy offers three distinct streams to cater to diverse educational goals: (1) core courses, (2) standalone courses, and (3) an annual book club. Each stream is designed to provide students with varied and enriching learning experiences.

Core Curriculum

Our core courses are designed to build a strong foundation, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical skills across key disciplines, fostering critical thinking and real-world application.

Standalone Courses

The Academy offers a range of standalone courses tailored for those seeking focused learning experiences, allowing deeper exploration into specialized topics beyond the core curriculum.

Book Club

The Academy’s annual book club provides a semi-guided reading journey for up to 10 participants, fostering deep discussions around carefully curated books centered on a unique theme each year.

Director

Shoaib Ahmed Malik is the Academy’s director, bringing unparalleled knowledge and experience. With a distinguished background at the intersection of philosophy, science, and religion, Dr. Malik’s academic journey is marked by global influence and significant achievements. He has imparted his expertise at prestigious universities and seminaries across the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Turkey, UAE, Jordan, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. He is a Lecturer in Science and Religion at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity.

Dr. Malik’s career began with him graduating as the top scorer from the University of Bath, UK, with a BEng. He then became one of the first Muslim students to undertake an MSc in Philosophy, Science, and Religion at the University of Edinburgh, UK. His scholarly pursuits led him to earn two PhDs: the first in Chemical Engineering from the University of Nottingham, UK, and the second in Theology from St Mary’s University, UK. He is also completing his ʿālimiyya studies under the private tutelage of Sh. Ali Laraki from the UK and Morocco, among other scholars.

A Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE and a Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR), Dr. Malik also serves as the Chief Editor of the world’s inaugural academic monograph series and encyclopedia on Islam and Science under the auspices of Palgrave Macmillan. His leadership in the interface of faith and scientific inquiry is further highlighted by his book, Islam and Evolution: Al-Ghazālī and the Modern Evolutionary Paradigm (Routledge), which was acclaimed as the best academic book on science and religion by the ISSR in 2022.

Dr. Malik continues to shape contemporary discourse on science and religion through his ongoing research, articles, book chapters, and books, all accessible in his academic profile. His dedication and contributions underscore his pivotal role in bridging the gap between Islamic theology and modern sciences.

Contact Us

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The Academy is well-equipped to develop customized programs that cater to the specific needs of institutions or groups. Should you have any inquiries not covered in this prospectus or are interested in discussing tailored programs for specific institutional or group needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out via the provided email. If you would like to stay updated about the latest developments, including new courses, offline events, and new instructors joining the Academy, you can sign up for our mailing list here: