BRUNEI, November 8, 2019 – The Industrial Revolution 4.0 era which indirectly challenges the academic world has impacted five regional Islamic Universities namely Islamic University of Malaysia (USIM), Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA), Darussalam University of Technology (UNIDA) , Mindanao State University (MSU) and Fatony University (FTU) to sign a special i-IQRA Consortium Charter to set the strategy to face the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin, Vice-Chancellor of USIM, said the regional cooperation between the five universities is responsible to ensure the Philosophy of Islamic Education will continue to be preserved despite the challenges of increasingly sophisticated technology.
“The role of academics is essential, so I see the synergy that exists between these five Islamic Universities will certainly create a new phenomenon in the preparation for an Islamic University to remain relevant in this era of disruptive technology,” he said.
In addition, he said the i-IQRA Consortium Charter will be a platform for these five Islamic Universities to collaborate in research, student and staff exchange, organizing seminars and scholarly talks, community programs, staff training and development, staff and student leadership programs and more.
“The uniqueness and strength of each university can be used for the common good of the ummah and the community. This is because the University needs to be a hub for catalytic mapping of academic talent and scholarship development,” he added.
The speed of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 signals to academics to always be ready for any changes and to identify new challenges in order to stay relevant.
According to Dr Khatijah Othman, Director of USIM Alamiyyah (UA), the i-IQRA Consortium ‘charter will be chaired by USIM for 3 years and will be managed by the UA office until 2021.
“In the next three years, USIM will be the catalyst to coordinate the move by appointing a committee that will hold a specific portfolio to plan this consortium’s progress and activities,” he added.
The i-IQRA ‘consortium will be the heart of the Islamic Higher Learning Institutions to keep them updated with the current civilization and technological developments, and to keep them abreast of the latest developments without abandoning Islamic values and Islamic fundamental principles as a clear framework in all actions .
The charter was recognised and signed by the Vice-Chancellor of USIM and the Rectors of UNISSA, UNIDA, MSU and FTU on November 7, 2019 at the 6th annual Islamic Higher Education Regional Seminar (SeIPTI) held at UNISSA, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.
Prepared by:
Dr Fauziah Hasan
Pusat Komunikasi Strategik (StraComm)
Aras 1, Canselori Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan
