1. Socio-Economic Development

2. Advancement of Education & Culture

3. Good Governance

The institute will work :-

• To serve as an advanced centre for research and training
• To establish fruitful exchange with distinguished scholars & learned bodies
• To promote cooperative research within its own faculty & collaborative research with other institutions
• To organize training courses & seminars
• To undertake publication of its research studies and disseminate them
• To provide consultancy and advice on policy issues
• To focus on developing nations esp those within the Muslim World

The guiding principles of the institute are an independent stance, an interdisciplinary approach, a view to the future and an emphasis on policy. With professional researchers in a variety of specialist areas, the institute is able to offer considerable expertise based on its proven track record in fields such as economics and management, social issues and public policy, systems and information, and science and technology. Researchers work together in tackling complex problems from multiple viewpoints and developing realistic, concrete proposals. TFI is confident of its ability to provide clients with a solid knowledge base for corporate activity and policy development.

TFI links researchers, practitioners, policy makers, professionals, and the public in exploring new intellectual paths and testing theories and methods against challenges of national and international concern. TFI disseminates information through education programs, conferences, publications, the news media and the Internet.
 

The institute will focus its activities in the following areas :-

1. Socio-Economic Development

TFI endeavours to conduct independent, high-quality, problem-oriented research on economic, financial and business issues and provides advice on macroeconomic management, development and future economic perspectives. It aims to link the government, the private sector and the universities and to become a focal point for economic, financial and business research in the country; to undertake economic research projects commissioned by clients in the public and private sectors; to collaborate with other research institutes, on topics relevant to the country; to publish and disseminate the results of research work and to organize symposia and conferences to promote the exchange of ideas and views; and, occasionally, to organize training for officials from government agencies and private sector organizations.

The objective also includes social research and development with a view to promoting knowledge of social conditions and processes of change. It focuses on life-course, level-of-living and life-quality issues, and on the programs and services provided by the welfare society. TFI has a particular responsibility to conduct research on social problems, public services and transfer schemes; to carry out and develop research on the family, children and young people and the conditions in which they grow up; to promote research, pilot and development programs with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups.

TFI provides research, consulting, evaluation and proposals on the basic sectors of society, including training, labour, welfare, territorial networks, environment, economy, local and urban development, public administration, media, and culture. TFI undertakes and commissions original research and writing on a range of public policy issues where understanding both the vitality of markets and the need for social consent can advance debate and help to shape new ideas.

The interdisciplinary socio-economic areas of policy research include :-

• Macro- and Microeconomic Analysis and Policy

• Economic Reform

• Studies on industry, Globalisation, Agriculture and Rural Development

• Natural Resources and Environment

• International trade and finance

• Wealth Generation and Wealth Re-Distribution

• Comparative Economics

• Labour, Population, Health and Human Resource Development

• Social Welfare, Poverty Alleviation, Basic Needs Fulfilment and Development Studies

• Developing Interest-free, Islamic Economic Solutions To Society’s Problems

• Institutional reforms to establish a social welfare system

• Media Policy and Public Relations

2. Advancement of Education

The main focus is applied research and policy development in the fields of education and its relationship with economics, society and politics, which it conducts to educate and serve institutes, the community and industry. TFI promotes research on Education from all its various perspectives especially on interdisciplinary issues. The institute will continue to develop its activities so that the fruits of natural scientific, technological and social development will become of widespread benefit.

Public education does not holistically fulfil the educational or social needs of children, parents and the wider community – TFI seeks to improve education through research, policy analysis, and the development of responsible alternatives to existing policies and practices. In these activities, TF strives to promote greater parental choice in education, a competitive education industry, and other policies that address the problems of both public and private schooling. TF develops and promotes public policies that protect and foster individual choice, personal responsibility, competition, and innovation, through collaboration with policymakers and interested stakeholders.

TFI’s work in education seeks to advance understanding and acceptance of effective reform strategies that incorporate these principles and areas of research :-

• The need for higher standards

• Developing a value-based education system designed for and responsive to the needs of its users - verifiable outcomes and accountability

• Equality of opportunity

• A solid core curriculum taught by knowledgeable, expert instructors

• Educational diversity, competition and choice

• Policy development

• Educational philosophy and strategy

• Curriculum development and academic achievement

• Synthesis of values and knowledge

• Social issues, communications and information

• Gender/Sexuality, Behavioural Sciences, Humanities, Communications and Information

• Contribution towards development of social/popular culture, heritage and civilisation

3. Good Governance

This area encompasses many different interdisciplinary strands and is related to the implementation of rules, regulations, policies and the constitution. Through thorough, thoughtful and objective analyses, TFI hopes to serve as an honest broker of information and to inspire a better-informed citizenry to demand a higher level of accountability from its government and elected leaders. A criminal justice system that is principled, honest, fair and effective is one of a society’s most important institutions. Quality of life depends upon our safety and our liberty which depend upon the integrity and effectiveness of our justice system.

Guided by a philosophy that encourages theoretically informed empirical research in international and security studies, TFI pursues a triple mandate of teaching, research and outreach, with an explicit interest in facilitating critical thinking among scholars and between researchers and the policy community. The centre organizes seminars and conferences, undertakes collaborative research, serves as the secretariat for professional academic organizations, and provides opportunities for the publication of research findings.

The areas of work include :-

• Management of Resources & Manpower for the Betterment of its Citizens

• Administration of Justice

• Accountability through the constitutional and political process/framework

• Constitutional Studies

• Judicial Independence, Conduct, Ethics, Selection, Qualifications and Criteria

• The Jury and Court Administration

• Legal Principles, Sources and Derivatives

• Public Understanding of the Justice System

• Research and Evaluation on Policing and Criminal Justice

• Improving Political Infrastructure, Organisation & Consultation

• Foreign Relations and Diplomacy

• Rules of International Engagement and Internal Impact

• Security and Defence

• International Peace and Conflict Prevention

• Strategic Studies

• Improving Social & Community Cohesion

The institute’s comprehensive approach includes socio-economics, education, culture and heritage, politics, economics, security and the environment. It then proposes policies to address present and future global trends. The institute is a focal point for leading-edge thinking, analysis and research on international relations and issues. Through its programs, networks and partnerships, TFI seeks to bring clarity and understanding to complex issues.

TFI is dedicated to the proposition that government works better when political institutions work better and its corollary that politics works better when citizens are informed and active participants. Goals include to be recognized as a leading institution on governance, to raise awareness and understanding through events and publications, and to serve as a complete resource for students, teachers, journalists, elected officials, and the general public.

TFI conducts studies and special projects to assist government and enhance the capacity of states and localities to meet critical challenges. Through its conferences, research, and publications, the Institute works with the best experts and top officials at all levels of government to forge creative solutions to public problems. The work of the Institute focuses on the role of state governments in the national and international infrastructure.

All policies and activities of TFI PDI conform with Islamic values and principles.