Berita

International Islamic University Malaysia rose to 37 for Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies from the 51-100 band in the QS World University Rankings by subject 2020.

Four questions were posed by The New Straits Times through the Higher Education Desk for the tertiary education pull-out of the New Straits Times.

Below are the full interview transcript by our Rector, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.
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Questions 1

Congratulations for IIUM's achievement for being listed in the Top 50 amongst world's leading universities for the subject Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020. Please comment on what sort of impact this achievement has on the relevant faculty and IIUM as a whole?

Answer :

Context

IIUM does not subscribe to any form of “ranking” – in particular those that are commercially-driven – which tends to distort the meaning and purpose of education based on the IIUM worldview, vision and mission. In this ranking exercise. IIUM did not in any way participate such as submitting information or data and the like for the purpose to be ranked. Therefore, the comments below are to be read in this context and in no way endorse the views expressed by the said “ranker.”    

On the faculty (kulliyyah) and IIUM

IIUM is committed to nurture the culture of holistic education and excellence without subjecting it to any ranking exercise. At the faculty level, this translates into teaching and learning activities, responsible research and publication, as well as community engagement and consultancy in embracing the scope of holistic education with “soul” accounted for by four core thrusts of Internationalisation, Islamisation, Integration, and Comprehensive Excellence (known as IIICE). Given the criteria used by QS, it partially covers the IIUM requirements, and leaves out several of the aspects of IIICE. In many ways, the impact can only be partial to the mission of IIUM in general, and the faculty (kulliyyah) in particular. To say otherwise is to deny the holistic education that IIUM is committed to. This is especially so, since IIUM did not submit any information or data for the purpose of ranking as mentioned above.

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Questions 2

What do you attribute this achievement to? In which area of the four metrics of QS Rankings did IIUM do particularly well for this subject?  

Answer :

The achievement is attributed to several factors, including: 

a.       The IIUM Ethos which stand on universal Islamic values and holistic education. The University has been adopting proactive approaches to integrate Islamic (Revealed) knowledge and values with human knowledge in a holistic manner beyond the regular “measure” of success and achievement. 

b.      Institutional Culture among IIUM academics, administrators and students is clear in supporting their roles embracing the intellectual, spiritual, educational, and social functions of the University. Their teaching-learning, research, consultancy, community service, and publication are linked to the spirit of Islam, regardless of the domain of knowledge they are involved in. They are motivated to embark in realising the IIICE that provides solutions towards the betterment of humanity. 

c.       Internationally, IIUM provides for more than 100 nationalities in accomplishing and translating the mission of the University. Integrated flagship projects that IIUM is currently embarking on provides various avenues for the academics, administrators and students to incorporate Islamic virtues/values into real life experiences and practical services. The Kulliyyah of IRKHS, is at the forefront to ensure this, hence plays sound educational roles in engaging both the in-campus and off-campus communities (professional, learned, community at large). By ensuring an ecosystem that supports the above, the kulliyyah has put in place a number of possible interventions which are implemented via various programmes, among others:  The Gombak Project, Flagship Mosque Project, Youth Empowerment Project for the off-campus, while Professional Development for Junior Academics, and Scholarship Advancement Programmes for the in-campus.  

It is difficult to say with certainty because IIUM did not submit any information and data for the purpose of being ranked as stated above. However, IIUM has always been recognised for its international academic reputation, employer recognition as well as its networking and mobility in pursuing the IIICE. 

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Questions 3

What are your hopes for the university in terms of providing better programmes for students? 

Answer: 

a.       To ensure that IIUM will continue to pursue and be committed in promoting holistic education with “soul” in line with the University’s mission, without the need to tailor it to any ranking exercise or subjecting its efforts to any form of commercially-driven “competition.”  That IIUM made it without forsaking its ideals speaks volume of its well thought of overall approach. 

b.      To ensure that the university will continue to better provide a climate/ecosystem that would inspire academics to do more community-orientated responsible research, publishing, teaching-learning whereby Theology, Religion and Islamic Studies are not only discussed in classes and seminars, but also applied and practised accordingly in the drive to fulfill a higher purpose of education in a holistic way.    

c.       To pursue consistently so that the disciplines of Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies as essential bases for Revealed Knowledge will be further converged/integrated with other disciplines (sciences and arts) to ensure that IIICE will culminate as the larger successes of IIUM, beyond the conventional, tangible ones, including that of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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