The Ethos Of Real-Life Higher Education That Must Be Urgently Restored

Emeritus Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak 
Opinion - Bacalah Malaysia 
November 25, 2024 

The Constitutional Head of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in officiating the 40th Convocation of the University sidesteps many of the current issues plaguing higher education, in particular, and went straight to the bottom of what education ought to be. 

Much of this has either been forgotten or being hijacked by some vested interest as the expense of real-life education. 

At the offset she cited two very eminent scholars who epitomised very well what the virtues are. And played significant role as touch bearers of education in general. 

"Foremost is Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naguib al-Attas who was bestowed the Royal Professorship to reflect his utmost contributions throughout, namely as the sole holder of the al-Ghazali Chair as well as the founder of the august Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) as part of IIUM'. 

The other figure was scholar-thinker, Za’ba, who since 1917 aspire an ecosystem for humankind and civilisation as the framework. Mistakenly, the Makkah Conference of 1977, came six decades later after a series of events. 

Lessons learned: education is values-centric and moral-based for Mercy to all to better humanity as well as civilisation. 

Hence, at the height of the IIUM 40th Anniversary, she highlighted about how the University is able to demonstrate its relevance to “transcend new boundaries globally through the seven missions crafted by the Founder” in 1995.

"Namely, IIUM is singly being recognised by United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as the Sustainability Institution of the Year twice 2020, and again this 2024 – after a 3-year cooling period! It was said that after 38 years, IIUM “changed the stereotype of Islam…[and] has brought us beyond the world.” 

Such successes put IIUM as a multi-award winning institution of higher education, must be cherished and nurtured into the future, without regressing backwards, urged Her Majesty! 

While congratulating all, may this Blessing of the Almighty, continue to prosper in leading the way as envisaged in the University anthem for Rahmatan lil ‘Alamin, not just our communities but humanity as a whole.

May the legacy of this institution reach out to everyone, the ummah and world at large. No one is left behind, educationally speaking, at least. 

'The Convocation which was likened to a symphony of scholarly pursuit, courage, and relentless spirit unfolds yet again. The symphony pushed the community to further learn and expand the culture of Iqra’ in a holistic way jointly through knowledge and experience gained at IIUM so to make this world a better place as envisioned in the IIUM anthem.' 

Inspiring Khalifah for Rahmatan lil ‘Alamin in celebrating diversity in unity, hindering any form of negative mindset, divisiveness and discrimination at all levels, notably hate politics that has no place at all in IIUM. Her Majesty reaffirmed her determination to keep it politics free like her first term as the Constitutional Head.

Good governance is part of the amanah that we all hold dear foremost as practising Muslims. Be compassionate always, help those who are in need, lend your hand by engaging them emphatically; liberate those who are oppressed, and unjustly treated.

Nevertheless, at the same time, we are saddened by what is happening in the Middle East.

People’s rights and lives are being trampled as many world leaders watch with their hands-off attitudes.  Others are hypocritical about it as complicit in the eyes of the world. 

'This must change; we must change it by standing and speaking truth and justice to power in whatever capacity we have, no matter what. We must walk the talk as adamantly advocated by Islam. No more ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’! Not forgetting that the boundless power of prayers combined with the illuminating force of knowledge and truth for the inherent transformative potential in bringing us out of the darkest of catastrophes.'

While alone we may not be able to do much, united we can do wonders with clear intentions and commitments. But honestly and sincerity is crucial for changes to happen.

God Willing, the moment we put our hearts and minds together in our efforts to seek His Remembrance.

In this way, degrees earned must transcend being mere pieces of paper encapsulating academic achievements: they must be transformed into actions to champion a sustainable, peaceful and ethical future for all communities around the world.

All these have been taught in IIUM both in theory and in action, so that the community can flourish nationally and globally in making an impactful different as what real-life education must do.

Take pride in bearing the IIUM name, allowing us, in turn, to take immense pride in all accomplishments. – BACALAHMALAYSIA.MY

• The writer is former Rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)