BY Rokiah Mahmud

On top of current Dakwah offerings, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) should provide programmes or training for Da’ie, as Dakwah depends highly on knowledge and expertise. Without these, the best outcomes may not be attainable.

This was said by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang  Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of UNISSA in a titah during the 12th UNISSA Hafl Al-Takharruj at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas on Monday.

The suggestion was related to His Majesty’s unscheduled visit to the Islamic Da’wah Centre recently. There, the monarch said Dai’e should be provided Dakwah training or given the opportunity to undertake advanced studies in the field.

“Aside from Dakwah, other fields should also be strengthened and students encouraged to obtain exemplary academic results,” said His Majesty.

The monarch is confident that UNISSA has the ability to achieve success in programmes it offers as success is an achievement.

On achievements, His Majesty noted that the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance (FEKim) won the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) in the category of GIFA Market Leadership Award (Education in Islamic Banking and Finance 2021).

UNISSA also reached the Top 201-300 in World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) rankings headed by the Institute for Policy and Strategy on National Competitiveness (IPSNC).

Due to the Entrepreneurship Project course being offered by FEKIm, UNISSA has been placed in the Top 51-100 in the Entrepreneurial Spirit category.

The ranking system is supported by four international organisations – Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU); the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (IPS); the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR); and Tailor Institute, Franklin University Switzerland (FUS).

His Majesty said the university’s achievements are Syi’ar and congratulated UNISSA for its success.

To have continuous success, the monarch said UNISSA should have a system in place to stay relevant, especially in student affairs such as learning and teaching schedule, co-curriculum activities with high standards.

This, His Majesty said, also extends for all other institutes of higher learning in the country.

The monarch said students’ achievements are landmarks of all higher learning institutions. It is therefore important that studies run smoothly, and uninterrupted by too many non-academic activities.

“This must be taken seriously so that the objective of ensuring quality graduates are not derailed,” said His Majesty.

Aside from producing quality graduates, the monarch noted that UNISSA is making meaningful contributions to the community. An example is a waqaf of Mushaf UNISSA that is also available to foreign communities.

The monarch noted that UNISSA is offering halal science and agriculture, with both programmes being conducted in collaboration with other agencies to strengthen food security and halal products.

For agriculture and halal products, research is needed on specimens, be they fresh or preserved.

The tests and analyses conducted in laboratory will involve equipment and chemicals requiring discipline and high standards.

To help achieve this, His Majesty has consented to the establishment of UNISSA Ibnu Sina Scientific Laboratory Centre in Sinaut Campus.

The monarch is optimistic that the laboratory will spur innovation through modern technology and serve as an investment in producing capable researchers among the graduates.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin