By Sarah Yusoff
GOMBAK, 8 April 2021: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed IIUM in a very challenging spot, but the fast response by the University administration in implementing the ‘new normal’ to ensure that the situation is brought under control, was considered a real achievement, the Rector said on Wednesday (7 April).
The Rector, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, said this when addressing the University staff and the students during the Al-Liqa’ Al-Jamaie which was conducted online.
“COVID-19 came into the picture and so we were quick to organise ourselves into understanding how the new life was going to be like. Not to mention, we are the first institution to be using the term ‘physical distancing’, in which the idea here is to create a bonding without having physical contact with anyone,” the Rector said.
Touching on the success stories of the University, the Rector in his address, shared the achievements of IIUM along with trials and tribulations faced by the university and how it had managed to overcome them.
Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli spoke about the recognition given by the United Nations University to IIUM which he considered as a great achievement.
“Not to forget the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Award 2020 organised by the United Nations University, in which IIUM created some projects and sent in 11 entries. Fortunately, we won awards for eight entries, two were outstanding flagships, three acknowledged flagships and three honourable mentions,” he added.
He said, “We are recognised by United Nations University as the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Greater Gombak for sustainability development goals, in which the Greater Gombak cuts across Kuantan, Pagoh and Gambang at the same time.”
“IIUM is the first Islamic university to be given the acclamation of Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) as there are only about 179 of RCE,” he added.
On top of that, the Rector said, another amazing accomplishment achieved by the University was the Green Gown Awards International organised by the United Nations and various other international organisations.
According to the Rector, IIUM was the winner of 2020 Sustainability Institution of the Year Green Gown Award International.
The Rector also considered the IIUM Flagship Programme 2019 an excellent effort as it aims to focus on the strengths of each kulliyah, hence providing means for them to work and enhance on those skills.
“As of now, we have 29 flagship programmes that bind a number of kulliyah together. They also took part in the celebration of IIUM Takrim Day 2019, whereby acknowledgements were given to the students and kulliyah for the things that they have done.”
The Rector also mentioned the student demonstrations that took place on 30 March recently, in which he expressed his disappointment towards the actions of “those irresponsible students who have created a bad name to the university”.
The Rector’s note on that issue was, “Look at the issue that we faced as an in-house issue rather than having to advertise it to the world.”
Earlier, the Rector gave a brief explanation on the purpose of Sejahtera Centre which he regarded the sustainability development goals as an important part of the University’s agenda.
The event saw the introduction to a more informative, updated and user-friendly IIUM website and a new IIUM souvenir e-shop which acts as a platform for people to shop for IIUM souvenir via online followed by the launching of Ramadan programme which will be heId throughout the fasting month.
A new book titled “RCE Greater Gombak: Journey Towards Holistic Community Transformation” by the Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity was launched by Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, attended also by Mr. Henry Sandanam, co-chair of RCE Greater Gombak and Dr. Zainal Sanusi.
The Al-Liqa’ Al-Jamaie, conducted via Zoom and live-streamed on IIUM YouTube channel, was attended by some 5,700 people among them were staff and students of the university. ***