IRKHSSS Presidential Candidates vow to be Visionary Leaders

By, Daniya Afroz

GOMBAK, 26 December 2024: On 17 December, 2024, Ainul Amanie Binti Shaikh Faridhudheen and Nur Qistina Binti Md Ali—the two candidates aiming for the position of president of the Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Students’ Society (IRKHSSS) in the recent election, showcased their leadership potential in the Presidential Dialogue at the Human Sciences Square, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Gombak. Both are undergraduate students majoring in Political Science.

The dialogue featured four rounds, moderated by Muhammad Haiqal Bin Hairee from AIKOL, a third-year student, thus bringing forward the vision and leadership philosophy of each candidate, their readiness to consider students need.

Round 1: Manifestos revealed

The dialogue kicked off by the candidates’ passionate speeches on their manifestos. Nur Qistina began her speech with the inspirational quote, “Every tenure leaves a legacy. Moving forward, it is our responsibility to build upon their work, refine it, and introduce new ideas.” While candidate Ainul Amanie kept her approach simple but impactful with straightforward and profound insights.

Candidate Ainul Amanie emphasized:

1. To promote student unity by establishing a symbiotic relationship between IRKHSSS and all 10 secretariats,
2. To encourage collective consciousness from all students at AHAS KIRKHS for their betterment,
3. To support graduate preparation for life after graduation by providing a holistic system focusing on career well being and social development.

While Nur Qistina propounded:

1. Fostering a supportive academic environment through strategic tools,
2. Embedding Islamic culture among AHAS KIRKHS students,
3. Establishing a digital complaint form to address students’ concerns,
4. Empowering inclusivity and togetherness among AHAS IRKHS students.     

Round 2: Self-Nomination and Expectations

The second round involved the elucidation of candidates’ leadership philosophies and their motivations. Candidate Ainul Amanie and Nur Qistina emphasized their leadership experiences:

1. Serving as Co-Chairperson of the Academic and Intellectual Council and Secretary of POSSA IIUM (2023/2024), which prepared her to address student needs effectively. Her readiness to take on the responsibility with the belief that “With great power comes great responsibility.”
2. Qistina Ali’s proposals included: a. Establishing an Academic Bank of Questions and organizing career boot camps in collaboration with the IIUM Press and CCSC. b. Applying Islamization in all initiatives. c. Setting up a dedicated welfare committee to address student grievances. d. Fostering integration to strengthen brotherhood.

Round 3: Question Answer Session

The third round was marked by both candidates exchanging questions about their manifestos and strategies. Such as candidate Ainul Amanie asked Nur Qistina, “Based on your manifestos you want to promote Islamic culture and create a module, we want to know what will be in your module?”

Nur Qistina outlined her strategy, including organizing guideline-based events, promoting the recitation of the Quran, and implementing gender-sensitive workplace principles. “I have guideline events to promote Islamic cultures like separation of men and women in workplaces  and guidelines for students organization to embed Islamic culture like recitation of Quran.”

While, Candidate Nur Qistina also questioned Ainul Amanie’s approach to fostering student unity, “Based on your manifesto on student unity, how will you integrate IRKHSSS unity?”

Ainul Amanie replied with a proposal for joint efforts between IRKHSS and HS secretariats throughout the year to enhance relations and interaction.

Round 4: Audience Engagement

The last round featured exchange of question answers between the audience and the candidates. One of the notable question was how will the candidates deal with personal and professional criticisms. To this, candidate Ainul Amaniereplied; “I will take professional criticism as a means to draw lines and for personal criticism I will take it positively and as a means to self improvement.” On the other hand, Nur Qistina said; “I will always take it and respond calmly.”

The session ended by  photography session marked by students deciding their votes based on what the candidates prompted.***