So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind (fitrah): no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not [ar-Ruum, 30: 30].Sunday, September 28, 2008
A NAS A WEEK - 29 RAMADHAN 1429H
So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind (fitrah): no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not [ar-Ruum, 30: 30].
Saturday, September 27, 2008
HAPPY EID MUBARAK
ISDEV NEWS on behalf of all ISDEV members, wishing all Muslims throughout the world a happy Eid-ul-Fitri. May Allah s.w.t. accepts our endeavours in seeking His pleasures during this Ramadhan, hence qualifying us to celebrate this Eid-ul-Fitri in a real sense.
Friday, September 26, 2008
IFTAR AT ISDEV, 12 SEPTEMBER 2008
On 12 September 2008, ISDEV organised an iftar evening, an occasion held every Ramadhan since the outset of the establishment of ISDEV. About 50 participants consisting of ISDEV Management Committee Members, ISDEV Fellows, ISDEV Post-Doctoral Fellow, ISDEV Research Associates, ISDEV Research Officers, ISDEV supporting staff, Islamic Development Management graduate students, School of Social Sciences staff and their wives and children gathered at Interactive Hall, School of Social Sciences to break their fast together. Tarawih prayer was also held after the breaking of the fast.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
A NAS A WEEK - 22 RAMADHAN 1429H
Narrated Aisha: "With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers" [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 32: 'Praying at Night in Ramadhaan, Hadith No. 241].
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A NAS A WEEK - 15 RAMADHAN 1429
The Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) is better than a thousand months [al-Qadr, 97: 3].Wednesday, September 10, 2008
USM HEADING FOR THE PEAK - APEX UNIVERSITY
The Star
Sunday September 7, 2008
HEADING FOR THE PEAK
BY Karen Chapman and Simrit Kaur
After much speculation, the country’s first apex university was finally named this week.
Sunday September 7, 2008
HEADING FOR THE PEAK
BY Karen Chapman and Simrit Kaur
After much speculation, the country’s first apex university was finally named this week.
ALTHOUGH there have been other ratings and rankings exercises, the one that really mattered was the accelerated programme for excellence (apex). The country’s four research universities were the frontrunners and it was no surprise when all four made the short list. However, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was the sole institution selected.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that the university with apex status has the greatest potential among Malaysian universities to be of world-class standard.
In last year’s Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings, Universiti Malaya (UM) was the highest ranked Malaysian university at 246, followed by USM (307), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (309) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (364).
Mohamed Khaled says quantitative and qualitative criteria were used to select USM, and that that the selection committee evaluated each university’s state of readiness, transformation plan and preparedness for change.
“After a thorough evaluation, the committee decided that only one university truly met all the criteria, namely USM,’’ he says, adding that the Cabinet had agreed to USM being given the apex status on Aug 27.
The ministry’s Programme Management Office (PMO) chief executive officer, Prof Datuk Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar, says the decision does not mean that USM has achieved the status, only that the university has the most potential to achieve it.
“This whole apex programme has been my ‘baby’ as I am very concerned that many of our top students go overseas and often do not return to serve at home,” he shares.
Having an apex university, he adds, means that at least some of the nation’s best minds will be retained locally. The apex forms one of the important initiatives under the National Higher Education Strategic Plan launched by the Prime Minister last year.
According to the action plan, which was released at the same time, apex universities will be given the autonomy to put in place the best in terms of leaders, faculty, students and facilities.
Since a large sum of money will be poured into ensuring USM attains greater heights, it is only fair that the public understands how it was selected.
Selection committee chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail says universities — both public and private — were invited to submit their proposals.
Nine institutions namely UM, UKM, UPM, USM, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Universiti Tenaga Nasional eventually did so.
Dr Mohamad Zawawi, who is former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak vice-chancellor, says the committee paid special attention to the institutions’ strategic intent and transformation plans.
Once UM, UKM, UPM and USM were short-listed, visits were made to the institutions where discussions were held with senior staff, academics, students and staff associations to understand the prevailing campus “climate” and factors related to the proposed plans.
“Apex is about accelerated change. It is not about business as usual but business unusual. We seek new and exciting ideas,” says Dr Mohamad Zawawi.
But that was not all. Prof Sahol Hamid says the committee also looked at actual world class university initiatives from other countries such as Germany and China.
Eventually it was modelled on the German Universities Excellence Initiative. Two German experts were in the country to assist the apex selection committee.
USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, adds that the validation exercise, particularly the on-site visits, is what makes the apex evaluation distinct from other surveys, including the ones done by Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings (which don’t make on-site visits).
“It gives the apex more credibility and reliability this way.”
At the same time, Prof Dzulkifli emphasises that USM has been working on its own transformation plan, which was put in place over the last six years, based on future demands.
“We started with the ‘healthy campus’ concept before moving on to the ‘university in a garden’ concept. We subsequently adopted the ‘research university’ concept.
“These then snowballed into a transformation plan that matched what the government was looking for when it announced that universities were invited to send in proposals for apex status,” he says.
USM’s plan is named Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
In terms of funding, Prof Dzulkifli says USM has requested for an additional RM830mil over the next five years (from 2009 to 2013) to transform into an apex university.
Former USM senior academic administrator Datuk Sharom Ahmat believes the university can meet the challenge of transforming into an apex university if it works towards it.
“No one university in the country is able to meet all the conditions of what an apex university must contain at the moment,” he says, referring to the key elements of best leaders, faculty, students and facilities as stated in the action plan.
Many were surprised by Mohamed Khaled’s announcement as they believed that by virtue of its history, status and higher ranking, UM would be the natural choice.
UM was the only public higher education institution to obtain a five-star rating in the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions 2007.
Transparency International Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, who is a UM alumnus, expressed disappointment that the university did not get the apex status.
“I cannot understand where UM fell short in terms of quality and standards. As one of the thousands of graduates, we would be appreciative of some more transparency and accountability in the assessment process,” he adds.
When asked why UM was not selected, Mohamed Khaled, a UM graduate himself had said: “It’s not about selecting the oldest university but choosing one with a doable plan that can help us transform our higher education.” Dr Mohamad Zawawi, however, believes the committee has made the “right choice” although those universities not chosen may be unhappy.
UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin believes USM deserved to be selected for apex status.
“I know they have been seriously working on their plan for a number of years, including doing scenario planning. They are ready for change. Together with a committed and stable leadership and a good team, I am sure they will carry it through,” she says.
On the next step, Mohamed Khaled, says USM needs to draw up a roadmap for transformation with a performance assessment index.
“It also needs to set several goals to achieve in the next five years,” he says.
Prof Dzulkifli adds that USM will seek to establish cutting edge research and development facilities next year. “This will potentially quantum leap the performance and visibility of USM as a new global player,” he adds.
What others say:
In last year’s Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings, Universiti Malaya (UM) was the highest ranked Malaysian university at 246, followed by USM (307), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (309) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (364).
Mohamed Khaled says quantitative and qualitative criteria were used to select USM, and that that the selection committee evaluated each university’s state of readiness, transformation plan and preparedness for change.
“After a thorough evaluation, the committee decided that only one university truly met all the criteria, namely USM,’’ he says, adding that the Cabinet had agreed to USM being given the apex status on Aug 27.
The ministry’s Programme Management Office (PMO) chief executive officer, Prof Datuk Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar, says the decision does not mean that USM has achieved the status, only that the university has the most potential to achieve it.
“This whole apex programme has been my ‘baby’ as I am very concerned that many of our top students go overseas and often do not return to serve at home,” he shares.
Having an apex university, he adds, means that at least some of the nation’s best minds will be retained locally. The apex forms one of the important initiatives under the National Higher Education Strategic Plan launched by the Prime Minister last year.
According to the action plan, which was released at the same time, apex universities will be given the autonomy to put in place the best in terms of leaders, faculty, students and facilities.
Since a large sum of money will be poured into ensuring USM attains greater heights, it is only fair that the public understands how it was selected.
Selection committee chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail says universities — both public and private — were invited to submit their proposals.
Nine institutions namely UM, UKM, UPM, USM, International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Universiti Tenaga Nasional eventually did so.
Dr Mohamad Zawawi, who is former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak vice-chancellor, says the committee paid special attention to the institutions’ strategic intent and transformation plans.
Once UM, UKM, UPM and USM were short-listed, visits were made to the institutions where discussions were held with senior staff, academics, students and staff associations to understand the prevailing campus “climate” and factors related to the proposed plans.
“Apex is about accelerated change. It is not about business as usual but business unusual. We seek new and exciting ideas,” says Dr Mohamad Zawawi.
But that was not all. Prof Sahol Hamid says the committee also looked at actual world class university initiatives from other countries such as Germany and China.
Eventually it was modelled on the German Universities Excellence Initiative. Two German experts were in the country to assist the apex selection committee.
USM vice-chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, adds that the validation exercise, particularly the on-site visits, is what makes the apex evaluation distinct from other surveys, including the ones done by Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings (which don’t make on-site visits).
“It gives the apex more credibility and reliability this way.”
At the same time, Prof Dzulkifli emphasises that USM has been working on its own transformation plan, which was put in place over the last six years, based on future demands.
“We started with the ‘healthy campus’ concept before moving on to the ‘university in a garden’ concept. We subsequently adopted the ‘research university’ concept.
“These then snowballed into a transformation plan that matched what the government was looking for when it announced that universities were invited to send in proposals for apex status,” he says.
USM’s plan is named Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow.
In terms of funding, Prof Dzulkifli says USM has requested for an additional RM830mil over the next five years (from 2009 to 2013) to transform into an apex university.
Former USM senior academic administrator Datuk Sharom Ahmat believes the university can meet the challenge of transforming into an apex university if it works towards it.
“No one university in the country is able to meet all the conditions of what an apex university must contain at the moment,” he says, referring to the key elements of best leaders, faculty, students and facilities as stated in the action plan.
Many were surprised by Mohamed Khaled’s announcement as they believed that by virtue of its history, status and higher ranking, UM would be the natural choice.
UM was the only public higher education institution to obtain a five-star rating in the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education Institutions 2007.
Transparency International Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, who is a UM alumnus, expressed disappointment that the university did not get the apex status.
“I cannot understand where UM fell short in terms of quality and standards. As one of the thousands of graduates, we would be appreciative of some more transparency and accountability in the assessment process,” he adds.
When asked why UM was not selected, Mohamed Khaled, a UM graduate himself had said: “It’s not about selecting the oldest university but choosing one with a doable plan that can help us transform our higher education.” Dr Mohamad Zawawi, however, believes the committee has made the “right choice” although those universities not chosen may be unhappy.
UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin believes USM deserved to be selected for apex status.
“I know they have been seriously working on their plan for a number of years, including doing scenario planning. They are ready for change. Together with a committed and stable leadership and a good team, I am sure they will carry it through,” she says.
On the next step, Mohamed Khaled, says USM needs to draw up a roadmap for transformation with a performance assessment index.
“It also needs to set several goals to achieve in the next five years,” he says.
Prof Dzulkifli adds that USM will seek to establish cutting edge research and development facilities next year. “This will potentially quantum leap the performance and visibility of USM as a new global player,” he adds.
What others say:
Prof Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan ShahabudinUKM vice-chancellor: As for UKM, we will continue to execute the plans we have put in place. We realise change is not easy and this is something we need to cultivate. We will persevere towards our goals and show results despite the odds.
Prof Datuk Dr Nik Mustapha Raja AbdullahUPM vice-chancellor:I would like to congratulate USM for being chosen as an apex university. We at UPM will continue to follow closely our transformation plan to achieve excellence as well as generate wealth through the new agricultural industry. Congratulations to USM. I wish them the best of luck.
Prof Datuk Dr Nik Mustapha Raja AbdullahUPM vice-chancellor:I would like to congratulate USM for being chosen as an apex university. We at UPM will continue to follow closely our transformation plan to achieve excellence as well as generate wealth through the new agricultural industry. Congratulations to USM. I wish them the best of luck.
Datuk Rafiah SalimUM vice-chancellor: Based on our track record of transforming UM into the top-ranked local university within two years, we are disappointed not to be chosen. We will continue with our transformation plan, with or without apex status.
Apex university selection committee members:
1. Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail (chairman)
2. Tan Sri Dr Wan Zahid Mohd Noordin
3. Tan Sri Dr Abu Hassan Othman
4. Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Gajaraj Dhanarajan
5. Datuk Dr Ahmad Zaidee Laidin
6. Datuk Zarinah Anwar
7. Prof Emeritus Datuk K J Ratnam
8. Dr Hena Mukherjee
9. Abdullah Abd Hamid
10. Dr Parmjit Singh
11. Prof Abang Abdullah Abang Ali
12. Prof Dr Azman Awang
13. Dr Sabine Behrenbeck (Germany)
14. Dr Inka Spang-Grau (Germany)
15. Higher Education Department director-general
16. Polytechnic and Community College Department director-general
17. Malaysian Qualifications Agency chief executive officer
18. National Higher Education Fund Corporation chief executive.
19. Planning and Research Division secretary
1. Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail (chairman)
2. Tan Sri Dr Wan Zahid Mohd Noordin
3. Tan Sri Dr Abu Hassan Othman
4. Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Gajaraj Dhanarajan
5. Datuk Dr Ahmad Zaidee Laidin
6. Datuk Zarinah Anwar
7. Prof Emeritus Datuk K J Ratnam
8. Dr Hena Mukherjee
9. Abdullah Abd Hamid
10. Dr Parmjit Singh
11. Prof Abang Abdullah Abang Ali
12. Prof Dr Azman Awang
13. Dr Sabine Behrenbeck (Germany)
14. Dr Inka Spang-Grau (Germany)
15. Higher Education Department director-general
16. Polytechnic and Community College Department director-general
17. Malaysian Qualifications Agency chief executive officer
18. National Higher Education Fund Corporation chief executive.
19. Planning and Research Division secretary
USM GETS APEX STATUS
The Star
Thursday September 4, 2008
USM GETS APEX STATUS
By Simrit Kaur and Karen Chapman
PUTRAJAYA: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been granted apex status. With it, USM can expect hundreds of millions of ringgit in additional funding to transform it into Malaysia's first world-class university.
Thursday September 4, 2008
USM GETS APEX STATUS
By Simrit Kaur and Karen Chapman
PUTRAJAYA: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been granted apex status. With it, USM can expect hundreds of millions of ringgit in additional funding to transform it into Malaysia's first world-class university.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that quantitative and qualitative criteria were used to select USM under the accelerated programme for excellence (apex).
Announcement time: Khaled flanked by deputies Dr Hou Kok Chung (right) and Datuk Idris Haron with a copy of the statement announcing USM as the country's first apex university.
“The selection committee evaluated each university's state of readiness, transformation plan and preparedness for change.
“The selection committee evaluated each university's state of readiness, transformation plan and preparedness for change.
“After a thorough evaluation, the committee decided that only one university truly met all the criteria, namely USM,'' he told a press conference yesterday.
The Cabinet had agreed to USM being given the apex status on Aug 27.
The university that is given apex status is one that has the greatest potential among Malaysian universities to be world-class, and as such, would be given additional assistance to compete with top-ranked global institutions, added Khaled.
He said with apex status, USM will be expected to move up the World University Rankings with a target of top 200 in five years' and top 100, if not top 50, by 2020.
In last year’s Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings, Universiti Malaya (UM) was the highest ranked Malaysian university at 246, followed by USM (307), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (309) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (364).
A selection committee headed by former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail short-listed USM, UM, UKM and UPM.
USM's transformation plan, entitled “Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow” focussed, among other things, on diagnostics, medical biotechnology, waste management, pharmaceuticals, nano-technology, membrane technology and vaccines.
Asked why UM was not selected, Khaled said: “I hope the apex status will spur other universities to strive for excellence, too. It's not about selecting the oldest university but choosing one with a doable plan that can help us transform our higher education.”
The other universities that applied for apex status were International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Universiti Tenaga Nasional.
The university that is given apex status is one that has the greatest potential among Malaysian universities to be world-class, and as such, would be given additional assistance to compete with top-ranked global institutions, added Khaled.
He said with apex status, USM will be expected to move up the World University Rankings with a target of top 200 in five years' and top 100, if not top 50, by 2020.
In last year’s Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings, Universiti Malaya (UM) was the highest ranked Malaysian university at 246, followed by USM (307), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (309) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (364).
A selection committee headed by former Universiti Malaysia Sarawak vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Zawawi Ismail short-listed USM, UM, UKM and UPM.
USM's transformation plan, entitled “Transforming Higher Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow” focussed, among other things, on diagnostics, medical biotechnology, waste management, pharmaceuticals, nano-technology, membrane technology and vaccines.
Asked why UM was not selected, Khaled said: “I hope the apex status will spur other universities to strive for excellence, too. It's not about selecting the oldest university but choosing one with a doable plan that can help us transform our higher education.”
The other universities that applied for apex status were International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Petronas and Universiti Tenaga Nasional.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A NAS A WEEK - 8 RAMADHAN 1429H
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet salallahu 'alaihi wassalam said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven" [Hadith from Sahih Bukhari, Book No. 31: Fasting, Hadith No. 125].
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)