Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar is new Rector of IIUM

By, Shafiy Nordin

GOMBAK, 23 September 2024: Recently, the Ministry of Education announced that Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar is appointed as the seventh Rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) effective from 23 September 2024 to 22 September 2026.

He replaces Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Bin Abdul Razak who finished his term on 31 July 2024.

The Ministry of Education highlighted, “We believe that Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar will be able to raise and improve IIUM’s ranking as a prominent university in Islamic civilization at the national level and international level.”

Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar is a well-known Islamic philosopher who is fit for the position due to his extensive experience at both local and international levels. He holds Al-Ghazali Chair at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), IIUM, obtained a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of London, United Kingdom and a Doctorate in Islamic Philosophy from the University of Temple, United States of America.

In 2009, he was named as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world due to his reputation in leadership and scholarship in the field of Islamic Philosophy and Civilization that was recognized at the national and international levels. 

Previously, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar was a distinguished Professor and Director of Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He was conferred Emeritus Professor in Philosophy of Science at University Malaya.

Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar also held the Malaysia Chair of Islam in Southeast Asia at Prince Talal al-Waleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington DC and was also Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research) at University Malaya.

He has written and edited 40 books and more than 300 articles on various aspects of Islamic thought and civilization, particularly Islamic science and philosophy. His most well-known books are Classification of Knowledge in Islam (1992) and Tawhid and Science (1992).

The Ministry of Education also appreciates Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli for his service and dedication in leading the university before. The IIUM community hopes that the new Rector, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar will be able to administer the IIUM towards excellence and place the university as a leading institution under his leadership.***