ISDEV-UNISSA: ENHANCING TIES THROUGH THE SOCIO-ACADEMIC LABORATORY

The existing positive relationship between the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Brunei Darussalam is currently enhanced through a specially designed academic programme called "Program Makmal Sosio-Akademik ISDEV-UNISSA Pertama"  (or MASSA@UNISSA) which began on 27 July 2015.

Standing behind the banner, Prof. Syukri (front row third from left, standing behind the banner)
and Yang Mulia Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman Haji Abdul Karim  (on Prof. Syukri's left) welcoming ISDEV postgraduate students to Brunei Darussalam.

A total of 22 ISDEV postgraduates students consisting of RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) and MISDEV (Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) students left for Brunei Darussalam on Monday, 27 July 2015, led by ISDEV Senior Lecturer, Dr. Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan.

A briefing given on the students' accommodation arrangement at UNISSA.

The programme is the first postgraduate programme that collaborates the two highly esteemed universities through a postgraduate academic programme organised by UNISSA with ISDEV postgraduate students as the main participants. The programme is jointly organised by the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Centre for Promotion of Knowledge and Language (in which ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh is currently the Adjunct Professor) as well as the Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Research of UNISSA.

ISDEV participants will be exposed to a variety of academic and social activities as agreed in the discussions between these two institutions that transpired on 21 May 2015. The programme is to last for one month starting 27 July until 28 August 2015.

The meals throughout the MASSA@UNISSA programme for ISDEV delegates is sponsored by Rizqun International Hotel owned by Yang Mulia Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman Haji Abdul Karim who is also ISDEV Advisory Council Member.

The main objective of the programme is to expose the participants to the Arabic Language via instructions in the form of formal and informal classes. They will also be introduced to the various communities and cultural traditions of Brunei Darussalam.

In addition, the program is also directly intended to strengthen relationships and foster the spirit of mawaddah and mahabbah among ISDEV participants and UNISSA students through mutual participation in religious activities and social activities such as community service, sports and excursions. The programme also hopes to forge strategic alliances and smart partnerships among graduates in academic fields through the organization of colloquium, dialogue, sharing sessions and group assignments.

Just before the official launch of the MASSA@UNISSA programme and poised to rise to the occasion - the smartly and formally dressed ISDEV delegates. Seated on the far right is Dr. Wan Norhaniza, the head of delegation.

It is ardently hoped that ISDEV participants will immensely benefit from this one month long programme while simultaneously seizing all positive opportunities that come their way.

In the meantime, the ISDEV editorial team looks forward to receiving more news and updates from them so that their experiences can be shared with their colleagues back home which will occasionally be highlighted through ISDEV News.