Meet 5D Thinking Team
Prof. Necati Aydin
Founder of 5D Thinking
Dr. Necati Aydin is a professor of economics specializing in wellbeing and the moral economy from a multidisciplinary perspective. He also serves as the vice president of the Institute of Integrated Knowledge. He holds two doctoral degrees, one in education and the other in economics. He spent a decade in the USA as a researcher, completing over forty research projects before commencing his academic career. He is the author of nine books and has translated two, co-authored three, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles. His work includes several publications within the realm of the Islamic moral economy. His recent work includes a book published by Routledge titled “Said Nursi and Science in Islam: Character Building through the Mana-i Harfi Approach” and another titled “3D of Happiness: Pleasure, Meaning, and Spirituality”. Collaborating with various scholars, he has developed the 5D Thinking model for the integration of knowledge. He is also the project leader of a science workbook series that encourages the exploration of God’s hidden signs in the scientific understanding of the universe.
Uzma Ahmed
Director of Education and Training
Uzma Ahmed is the Director of Education and Training at the Institute of Integrated Knowledge, Hartford, USA. Uzma Ahmed holds a BSc Hons. in International Relations from the University of London and an MA in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London. She has also completed a Diploma in Islamic Education from the International Online University with a broad range of Islamic disciplines. She has worked as an Educational Consultant, Primary school Principal, Curriculum developer, Researcher in Islamic education, and Teacher trainer for schools around the world for 25 years. She conducts short courses for Qur’an Tafsir, Sirah, Islamic history, and personal development. She is a public speaker on Contemporary Islamic issues in the Muslim world. She has authored primary-level English textbooks and Reading books and regularly writes material for homeschoolers and Islamic courses for children of all ages on many topics with a focus on Islamic history and Tarbiyah.
Saba Irshad Ansari
Instructor
Dr. Saba Irshad Ansari has a PhD in Islamic Studies from Aligarh Muslim University, India, where she was a senior research fellow specializing in Islamic history and civilization, and Muslim theology. She has also earned two gold medals in 2016 and 2018 for her exceptional academic achievements. She serves as the Director of the Existence and Meaning Program at the Institute of Integrated Knowledge in Hartford, USA. In April 2021, she co-instructed the 5D Kids Program, demonstrating her commitment to integrating scientific and Islamic education for young learners. Dr. Saba is also a public speaker on Islam and interfaith peace dialogue in India. She has held training sessions on Islam at AICC training camps in Wardha in December 2021 and March 2022. Additionally, she is part of the 5D Thinking research and writing team preparing primary-level workbooks.
Aisha Alowais
Instructor
Aisha Alowais is a Research Analyst at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), where her expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning are used for conducting research in areas that bring together AI and astronomy. With a rich academic foundation that includes a BSc. in Computer Science with a minor in Arabic Language and Literature from the American University of Sharjah and an MA in History and Islamic Civilization from the University of Sharjah, Alowais harnesses a multidisciplinary approach to research. She is currently pursuing Ph.D. programs in the field of history at the University of Sharjah and the prestigious Warburg Institute, University of London. An advocate of the Five-Dimensional Thinking approach, she serves both as a contributor and as the Managing Editor for the 5D Thinking magazine.
Prof. Alparslan Acıkgenc
Instructor
Dr. Açıkgenç holds a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago. His main interest of research is the history of scientific traditions of diverse civilizations, primarily Islamic and Western. He has written a number of books and articles on religion and science, particularly on epistemology and sociology of science. His most recent work, Islamic Scientific Tradition in History (Kuala Lumpur, 2014) won the national science book award of Malaysia for the year 2014. Currently Dr. Açıkgenç is the president of Asian Philosophical Association and a member of Turkish Academy of Sciences.
Prof. Colin Turner
Instructor
Dr.Turner is Director at International Foundation for Muslim Theology. He taught for over twenty years several courses on Islam at Durham University. Though his research covers a wide range of topics such as Muslim theology and philosophy, the history of Muslim political thought, Sufi spirituality, the Qur’an and Qur’anic exegesis, he recently focuses on the life and works of Said Nursi. In addition to several journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, he authored the following books on Nursi: Makers of Islamic Civilization: Said Nursi. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009; Qur’an Revealed: A Prof. Critical Analysis of Said Nursi’s Epistles of Light, 2013.
Nadine Kamal
Instructor
Nadine Kamal is a science writer, educator, and Certified Trauma and Resilience Coach. She holds a BSc in Biology from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s in Education (in Leading Learning and Teaching) from the University of Dundee. Since 2007, Nadine Kamal has been dedicated to teaching Secondary Science, High School and AP Biology, English, and Mathematics to students aged 8-18. Her experience spans across the International Baccalaureate, NGSS, and English National Curricula. In recent years, Nadine has served as a Science Department Leader and Assistant Principal for Middle and High School. Beyond the classroom, her passion extends to advocating for the mental health and well-being of children and young adults. Currently, Nadine Kamal serves as a 5D Curriculum Developer and Trainer at the Institute of Integrated Knowledge.
Meet 5D Thinking Instructors
Prof. Necati Aydin
Founder of 5D Thinking
Dr. Necati Aydin is a professor of economics specializing in wellbeing and the moral economy from a multidisciplinary perspective. He also serves as the vice president of the Institute of Integrated Knowledge. He holds two doctoral degrees, one in education and the other in economics. He spent a decade in the USA as a researcher, completing over forty research projects before commencing his academic career. He is the author of nine books and has translated two, co-authored three, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles. His work includes several publications within the realm of the Islamic moral economy. His recent work includes a book published by Routledge titled “Said Nursi and Science in Islam: Character Building through the Mana-i Harfi Approach” and another titled “3D of Happiness: Pleasure, Meaning, and Spirituality”. Collaborating with various scholars, he has developed the 5D Thinking model for the integration of knowledge. He is also the project leader of a science workbook series that encourages the exploration of God’s hidden signs in the scientific understanding of the universe.
Uzma Ahmed
Director of Education and Training
Uzma Ahmed is the Director of Education and Training at the Institute of Integrated Knowledge, Hartford, USA. Uzma Ahmed holds a BSc Hons. in International Relations from the University of London and an MA in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London. She has also completed a Diploma in Islamic Education from the International Online University with a broad range of Islamic disciplines. She has worked as an Educational Consultant, Primary school Principal, Curriculum developer, Researcher in Islamic education, and Teacher trainer for schools around the world for 25 years. She conducts short courses for Qur’an Tafsir, Sirah, Islamic history, and personal development. She is a public speaker on Contemporary Islamic issues in the Muslim world. She has authored primary-level English textbooks and Reading books and regularly writes material for homeschoolers and Islamic courses for children of all ages on many topics with a focus on Islamic history and Tarbiyah.
Saba Irshad Ansari
Instructor
Dr. Saba Irshad Ansari has a PhD in Islamic Studies from Aligarh Muslim University, India, where she was a senior research fellow specializing in Islamic history and civilization, and Muslim theology. She has also earned two gold medals in 2016 and 2018 for her exceptional academic achievements. She serves as the Director of the Existence and Meaning Program at the Institute of Integrated Knowledge in Hartford, USA. In April 2021, she co-instructed the 5D Kids Program, demonstrating her commitment to integrating scientific and Islamic education for young learners. Dr. Saba is also a public speaker on Islam and interfaith peace dialogue in India. She has held training sessions on Islam at AICC training camps in Wardha in December 2021 and March 2022. Additionally, she is part of the 5D Thinking research and writing team preparing primary-level workbooks.
Aisha Alowais
Instructor
Aisha Alowais is a Research Analyst at the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), where her expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning are used for conducting research in areas that bring together AI and astronomy. With a rich academic foundation that includes a BSc. in Computer Science with a minor in Arabic Language and Literature from the American University of Sharjah and an MA in History and Islamic Civilization from the University of Sharjah, Alowais harnesses a multidisciplinary approach to research. She is currently pursuing Ph.D. programs in the field of history at the University of Sharjah and the prestigious Warburg Institute, University of London. An advocate of the Five-Dimensional Thinking approach, she serves both as a contributor and as the Managing Editor for the 5D Thinking magazine.
Prof. Alparslan Acıkgenc
Instructor
Dr. Açıkgenç holds a Ph. D. from the University of Chicago. His main interest of research is the history of scientific traditions of diverse civilizations, primarily Islamic and Western. He has written a number of books and articles on religion and science, particularly on epistemology and sociology of science. His most recent work, Islamic Scientific Tradition in History (Kuala Lumpur, 2014) won the national science book award of Malaysia for the year 2014. Currently Dr. Açıkgenç is the president of Asian Philosophical Association and a member of Turkish Academy of Sciences.
Prof. Colin Turner
Instructor
Dr.Turner is Director at International Foundation for Muslim Theology. He taught for over twenty years several courses on Islam at Durham University. Though his research covers a wide range of topics such as Muslim theology and philosophy, the history of Muslim political thought, Sufi spirituality, the Qur’an and Qur’anic exegesis, he recently focuses on the life and works of Said Nursi. In addition to several journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters, he authored the following books on Nursi: Makers of Islamic Civilization: Said Nursi. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009; Qur’an Revealed: A Prof. Critical Analysis of Said Nursi’s Epistles of Light, 2013.
Nadine Kamal
Instructor
Nadine Kamal is a science writer, educator, and Certified Trauma and Resilience Coach. She holds a BSc in Biology from the University of Waterloo and a Master’s in Education (in Leading Learning and Teaching) from the University of Dundee. Since 2007, Nadine Kamal has been dedicated to teaching Secondary Science, High School and AP Biology, English, and Mathematics to students aged 8-18. Her experience spans across the International Baccalaureate, NGSS, and English National Curricula. In recent years, Nadine has served as a Science Department Leader and Assistant Principal for Middle and High School. Beyond the classroom, her passion extends to advocating for the mental health and well-being of children and young adults. Currently, Nadine Kamal serves as a 5D Curriculum Developer and Trainer at the Institute of Integrated Knowledge.