Rokiah Mahmud
Scholars in the field of Usuluddin must be proactive in adopting new methodology that could attract the Islamic community to pursue the subject.
This was said by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim during the opening of Multaqa Usuluddin conducted by the Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) at its Tarbiyah Hall yesterday.
The permanent secretary said there are no improvements conducted to expose and distinguish the Usuluddin knowledge to the public, especially the younger age group.
He suggested for new initiatives to be implemented, such as the incorporation of modern disciplines such as counselling and psychology.
Meanwhile, Rae’s of KUPU SB Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar said the Usuluddin curriculum needs re-evaluating, including in the aspect of the subject’s goals, so that it could build students’ personality in accordance with the national philosophy of Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB).
The ra’es added that the syllabus needs re-drafting in view of the advancement and development of students using a more holistic approach.
“Teaching of the subject needs to be varied by incorporating multimedia, social media and in reference to the potential of the students,” he said, adding that a streamline approach in terms of scoring, assessment and student engagement must be adopted.
Chairperson Dr Norasimah binti Haji Omar said the seminar aimed to strengthen and deepen the knowledge of Usuluddin among lecturers and students, in addition to coordinating and improvising the curriculum at pre-university level under the MoRA and the Ministry of Education (MoE).
The seminar was also a response to the growing regional issues surrounding Usuluddin, which have caused a decline in the number of students taking up the subject at higher learning institutions. The ceremony also witnessed the presentation of certificates to participants, comprising educators from the Islamic Studies Department (JPI) and sixth form centres nationwide, as well as officers from higher learning institutions, MoE, and the Religious Directorate of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
The two-day seminar also featured presentations of working papers by KUPU SB’s academics.
