The origins of the MA Intellectual Encounters of the Islamicate World rooted in the friendship of three internationally acclaimed scholars, Professors Sarah Stroumsa, Sabine Schmidtke and Sari Nusseibeh, and their shared passion for reviving the intellectual and cultural legacy of the medieval Islamic world. They developed the idea of a unique MA degree program that was supposed to highlight the interconnections between Jewish, Muslim and Christian thinkers of the Middle Ages. The Mission Statement explains the intellectual background of our worldwide unprecedented degree program.

The initiators closely followed and supported the development of the MA Intellectual Encounters in their role as members of the Advisory Board. The Staff supported students, teachers and tutors in all relevant aspects like information and counselling, application and registration, organization of travels, technological and academic support.