A Day of Honour: IIUM Pagoh Shines at IIUM Takrim Day 2025

By: Muhammad Hanif Bin Naim

Pagoh, 17th August 2025: IIUM Takrim Day 2025 became a historic milestone for the IIUM Pagoh community, marking a day of recognition, pride, and inspiration. For the first time, IIUM Pagoh not only stood alongside Gombak and Kuantan in this prestigious annual celebration but also carved its name in IIUM’s history with outstanding awards that reflected the excellence,mdedication, and talent nurtured at the Pagoh campus.

Best Educator Award – Br. Muhammad Nazirul bin Mohd Noor

The highlight of the ceremony was the honouring of Br. Muhammad Nazirul bin Mohd Noor, who was awarded the Best Educator Award. This award is a recognition of his unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and passion for nurturing both knowledge and values in his students. For years, Br. Nazirul has been a guiding force, known not only for his academic commitment but also for his mentorship and ability to instill confidence in his students. His impact extends beyond the classroom into the lives of his colleagues and the wider IIUM community. Receiving this prestigious award at Takrim Day 2025 is a testament to his devotion to IIUM’s mission of producing balanced graduates who embody both intellectual and spiritual excellence. His recognition is also a proud moment for IIUM Pagoh, affirming that the campus is home to educators of the highest calibre. He is one of the best educators who are shaping the “generation of thinkers” among all Pagoh debaters as he is the one and only coordinator of IWON Pagoh.

Iqra’ Award (Individual) – Br. Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri bin Abd Kamal

In another historic achievement, Br. Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri bin Abd Kamal became the first ever recipient from IIUM Pagoh to be honoured with the Iqra’ Award (Individual). Traditionally awarded to achievers from the main campus, this moment marked a breakthrough that will be remembered as a milestone in Pagoh’s academic and intellectual journey. Br. Hafiz Zhafri’s award reflects his relentless dedication throughout 2024, where he carried the name of IIUM and Malaysia onto both national and international stages. His journey has been one of excellence across oratory, debate, storytelling, innovation, and leadership.

On international platforms, he represented Malaysia and IIUM at storytelling, Arabic competitions, and cultural exchanges in Indonesia and Thailand, bringing home awards such as Best Emotional Story (IAIN Kediri, Indonesia), Champion at the Gebyar Mahasiswa PGMI Storytelling Competition, and Third Place at the International Arabic Language & Culture Quiz in Prince of Songkla University, Thailand. His contributions extended to creative competitions such as the ICESCO Arabic Short Film Contest and GEBARNAS. Through these engagements, he demonstrated how oratory and culture can bridge nations and foster intercultural dialogue.

Nationally, his achievements spanned diverse domains. From earning multiple innovation awards for his project Atraksi Bestari (Silver at the 4th and 5th UIA Symposium, Gold at PMJB National Innovation Competition) to advancing in prestigious stages such as Johor Young Motivator Competition (Top 4), Puisi Riong Poetry Night (Semi-finalist), and the Grand TVET Debate Championship, his consistency has been remarkable.

As a leader, Hafiz Zhafri steered IWON Pagoh as Acting President, initiated cross-cultural programmes like IWON Open Mic 2.0, and strengthened the centre’s reputation in national and international circuits. His leadership roles within IWON and other associations further highlight his commitment to empowering peers and youth in oratory and intellectual platforms. As a trainer and mentor, he dedicated his time to nurturing young talents across Malaysia, for instance in coaching debate teams in SBPI Temerloh, SMKA Maahad Muar, Politeknik Tun Syed Nasir, Johor Matriculation College, and SMKA Durian Guling, Terengganu. His service in these roles reflects his passion for spreading knowledge, particularly in semi-urban and rural communities.

The Iqra’ Award stands as a powerful recognition of this multi-faceted journey, one that blends academic excellence, cultural diplomacy, innovation, and service. For IIUM Pagoh, it is a historic first, proving that dedication and talent can shine from any corner of the university.

Other Recognitions for IIUM Pagoh

The day also celebrated collective achievements that reflect the growth and spirit of IIUM Pagoh. One of the prominent awards is the Mahallah Madani Award (Second Place). Mahallah Zaid bin Harithah secured second place in 2025. This marks the third consecutive year of recognition at Takrim: second place in 2022, champion in 2023, and now second place again.The consistency underscores the commitment of the Mahallah community to excellence and student well-being. In the same time, the Kulliyyah of Sustainable Tourism and Contemporary Languages (KSTCL) at Pagoh was recognised as the Best Kulliyyah Website Award for its excellence in digital presence and accessibility, winning the Best Website Award. This achievement affirms the Kulliyyah’s ability to adapt to contemporary academic needs while serving as a model for digital innovation.

IIUM Takrim Day 2025 will be remembered as a turning point for IIUM Pagoh. From Br. Nazirul’s recognition as an inspiring educator to Br. Hafiz Zhafri’s groundbreaking Iqra’ Award, the day highlighted the excellence, resilience, and innovation of the Pagoh community. The additional achievements of the Mahallah and Kulliyyah further reinforced the message that Pagoh is a vibrant and thriving part of the IIUM family. As IIUM Pagoh continues to grow, these awards serve not only as recognition of past efforts but also as motivation for greater heights in the future. Truly, on this day, the voices, vision, and values of IIUM Pagoh shone bright on the university stage.***