Introduction
The College of Arts is considered one of the oldest and most deep-rooted colleges in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University as it has been established in the academic year 1399/1400H and at that time it was one of those colleges affiliated to the General Presidency for Girls Education being the first college opened in the Eastern Province while it has admitted about 350 students in its first academic year.
The College has been enhancing its educational roots for about forty six years keeping its originality and committed to the revival and modernization. The College has witnessed several stages of change and development as it has affiliated to the Ministry of Education for two years and then moved to the Ministry of Higher Education in 1425/1426H while in 1428H it has affiliated to King Faisal University. Later, the College has been affiliated to the University of Dammam pursuant to the Royal Decree of its establishment issued on 15/9/1430H.
The College has launched in its first academic year with five academic departments, namely: Department of Islamic Studies, Department of Arabic Language, Department of English, Department of History and Department of Geography & Geographical Information Systems “GIS”. Over times, three new academic departments have been open: Department of Libraries & Information in 1431H, Department of Sociology & Social Work in 1432H and Department of Communication & IT in 1434H.
In the academic year 1442H, the College has restructured the academic departments and has developed their academic programs to fulfill the national needs and contribute to achieving the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030. In the year of 1444H, the Council of Universities’ Affairs has approved to change the title of Department of Libraries & Information to be Department of Information Science; in 1445H, the Department of Islamic Studies has been moved to the College of Shari’a & Law and in the same year, the Council of Universities’ Affairs has issued its approval to modify the title of Department of History to be Department of History & Heritage; in 1446H and under umbrella of the same department a new academic program entitled “BA in Tourism & Heritage Management” has ben introduced along with offering the Higher Diploma Program in Museum Studies and MA Program in Museum Studies through an international partnership with SOAS- University of London.
Nowadays, the College encompasses (nine) BA programs and (seven) PG studies programs and still has been aspiring to introduce qualitative, interdisciplinary and minor programs for future foresight and in order to meet the developmental requirements.
Vision
Excellence in Humanities Nationally, Regionally, and Internationally.
Mission
Offering Academic Programs and Developing Research Capabilities as per Quality Standards along with Adherence to Values and Pride of Identity within Community Partnership.
Objectives
- Develop rigorous academic programs and prepare qualified professionals equipped with the skills and knowledge in order to effectively compete in their fields of specialization.
- Encourage scientific research and continually assess and update priorities according to the needs of the community and emergent requirements.
- Foster and develop an Islamic and Arab identity through various programs and activities.
- Initiate community partnerships relevant to the College’s academic disciplines
Values
College of Arts Adheres to the Values of IAU, namely: Belongingness, Proficiency, Teamwork, Transparency, Diversification, Creativity, and Social Responsibility.
