Rokiah Mahmud
In line with technological advancement, the establishment of the Faculty of Islamic Technology has played a vital role in preparing students and graduates of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) to face current challenges in the digital era.
This was said by UNISSA Rector Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal at the 11th Hafl Al-Takharruj (convocation ceremony) yesterday.
Among the faculty’s projects is the Haj and Umrah research project using 3D virtual reality, which is in its preliminary stage conducted at the postgraduate level.
“Alhamdulillah, the project managed to secure a place in the top five out of 67 entries in the Crown Prince Creative, Innovative Product and Technological Advancement (CIPTA) Award 2021 organised by Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB),” he said.
“The success has embarked a meaningful and encouraging the beginning especially in injecting the spirit of enthusiasm among Bruneian youth to produce latest innovations by applying the skills of science and technology based on Al-Quran and As-Sunnah as the main core,” he said.
The UNISSA Rector also expressed gratitude for 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’s consent in allowing UNISSA to utilise the Sinaut Agriculture Training Centre, Tutong District to accommodate the needs of the Faculty of Agriculture and Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre to be more efficient and productive.
“Alhamdulillah, with the trust and concern of the Government of His Majesty, UNISSA has been able to have its own scientific laboratory to conduct research relating to the field of agriculture and Halalan Thayyiban.
“This development is another interesting scenario in the process towards the maturation of teaching, learning and research pedagogy at UNISSA that integrates Islamic knowledge with science and technology. Insya Allah, all the facilities and equipment available in this laboratory will be utilised for the development of the ummah and the country.
“In the aspect of internationalisation, through cooperation with Osaka University in Japan, UNISSA students have participated in a value-added programme that helped enhance their academic development excellence particularly those undertaking halal science studies.”
The rector said that the programme, which was also managed by academics of UNISSA, is known as the Osaka University International Certificate Programme: Halal Science, Technology and Innovation. In other development, the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance has been awarded the 11th Global Islamic Finance Award (GIFA) 2021 for Market Leadership Award, Education in Islamic Banking and Finance category by Cambridge International Finance Advisor, United Kingdom for the past three consecutive years.
“This recognition certainly motivates UNISSA to step up its game and stand tall with other international universities.”
UNISSA will continue to strive and improve its quality as well as recognition from regional and international level. Last year, UNISSA was recognised as a Four-Star ‘Plus’ higher learning institution in the applied university category based on the University Performance Metrics (UPM) supported by the ASEAN University Network (AUN).
“This also followed with two recognitions for the university’s pre-graduate programme; a five-star rating for the Bachelor of Science in Islamic Finance and a four-star rating for the Double Degree in Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Syariah Law.
With such achievements, UNISSA is on the right track to move forward as an Islamic university with international standard providing study programmes, research and high quality human capital development.
“Alhamdulillah, UNISSA has been able to use its own Mushaf written by locals at the 10th Hafl Al-Takharruj as mace of the ceremony. For this, UNISSA also has published a smaller UNISSA Mushaf for people in the country as well as Muslims around the world.
“At the same time, UNISSA also welcomed those who wish to make UNISSA Mushaf as Waqaf (endowment). With the publication of small-sized UNISSA Mushaf, it is hoped that it could inculcate the habit and love of reading Al-Quran to get blessings from Allah the Almighty,” he said.
