By Norashikin Azizan
GOMBAK, 24 July 2019: Humanising education and assimilating faith through Maqasid Al-Shariah-Sustainable Development Goals (MAS-SDG) is one of IIUM’s missions other than Integration, Islamisation, Internationalisation and Comprehensive Excellence (IIICE), IIUM Rector, Tan Sri Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said in his speech at the Takrim Day 2019 held in IIUM Cultural Centre (ICC) today.
According to him, Takrim Day 2019 commemorated the values needed in every each and one of the IIUM community to achieve the philosophy and mould the university the way it is aspired to be. Togetherness, collectivity and solidarity are the main traits that shall be instilled for the mission to be a reality as the university is not a one man’s show.
The Takrim Day 2019 was the first official event of IIUM 8th President, Datuk Dr. Mohd. Daud Bakar, who was appointed to this position recently replacing Dr. Maszlee Malik.
In relation to the issue, the Rector reminded the audience on the importance of utilising the existing but rejuvenating and reintegrating the Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan (National Education Philosophy) as the foundation of education in Malaysia.
He also emphasised on the significance of implementing the theories into practice quoting Bosnia as one of the examples.
“We are too confined with our own way of thinking to realise the values that are beneficial in our own education philosophy,” the Rector added, highlighting that the “students from foreign countries such as Bosnia who received education in Malaysia actually brought back the virtues to their home country and took the opportunity and power of education to transform their society.”
As explained by Prof. Dzulkifli, the integration of 5 Maqasid Al-Shariah and 17 Sustainable Development Goals is paramount to address the insufficiency of the question of faith starting from the IIUM community itself making the set of philosophies comprehensive.
He said creating a balance between spirituality and materialism is crucial and should be the role of the university. This matter is being assimilated step by step by instilling divine values in the university system through various flagship programmes that are currently going on in stages, making an impact on society.
Towards the end of his speech, the Rector reiterated that all 17 Sustainable Development Goals have been addressed by all kulliyyah to be one step closer to achieving the global agenda. ***