ONE MORE PhD THESIS GETS THE "GO AHEAD"

A serene looking and composed Wan Anisah
just moments before presenting her final draft PhD thesis

24 Sept - Wan Anisah binti  Endut  has completed her PhD thesis. But, as a normal practice for ISDEV, before she is allowed to submit her thesis for the examiners' evaluation, ISDEV requires her to present her findings first at the ISDEV Graduate Monthly Supervision. For the month of August, the supervision was held on 28 August, 2013 at the University Conference Hall and began at 9:00am sharp.

A serious Dr. Zakaria (right) giving his evaluation on Wan Anisah's draft PhD Thesis

The main aim of requiring RISDEV students to present their final draft PhD thesis before submission to the Institute of of Postgraduate Studies (IPS) is in line with the Islamic spirit of helping one another in the spirit of al-Birr (righteousness) and al-Taqwa (piety). It is through this final presentation that further polishing and tying up of loose ends, if any, can be achieved before a student is allowed to submit the thesis proper to IPS. The thesis, whether at the Master’s level or PhD, is endeavoured to be submitted in the best quality possible, hence entailed with excellent results.

Yet another full house - The turn out at DPU!

Wan Anisah thesis entitled ‘Asas dan Pembentukan Perakaunan Zakat Saham di Institusi-Institusi Zakat di Malaysia’ (Basis and Formation of Shares Zakat Accounting at the Zakat Institutions in Malaysia) was reviewed by Dr. Zakaria Bahari. Wan Anisah is pursuing her PhD thesis under the guidance and supervision of Dr. Zahri Hamat while her co-supervisor is Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad.

A NAS A WEEK - 16 DHUL QA'IDA 1434

Yahya related to me from Malik from Zayd ibn Aslam from Ata ibn Yasar that a man from the Ansar of the tribe of Banu Haritha was herding a pregnant she-camel at Uhud. It was about to die, so he slaughtered it with a sharp stake. The Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) was asked about that, and he said, "There is no harm in it, eat it." [Hadith from Muwatta' Malik,  English reference: Book 24: Slaughtering Animals, Hadith 3; Arabic reference: Book 24: Slaughtering Animals, Hadith 1047].

VC'S BRUNEI VISIT TAKES USM-BRUNEI TIES TO GREATER HEIGHTS

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, 12 September 2013 - The Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day visit to strengthen academic ties. 

This morning, the Vice-Chancellor attended the 25th Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Brunei Darussalam and later in the night attended the Gala Dinner in conjunction with the Convocation Ceremony. After his arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Darussalam, he had a meeting with the Director General of The Brunei Times newspaper and later attended a dinner with the Executive Director of Abdul Razak Holdings Pehin Orang Kaya Lela Raja Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Awang Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abdul Karim.

The Vice-Chancellor signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB). KUPU SB was represented by its Ra’es, Dr Hajjah Masnon binti Haji Ibrahim, witnessed by the Brunei Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Yang Mulia Pengiran Dato' Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar.

According to Omar, with the signing of this MoU document, USM through the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), will collaborate with the Ministry of Education and KUPU SB to introduce a post-graduate programme in building teachers’ capacity extensively in various fields of Islamic development while helping to realise the research programme in various research fields such as integrated management development which is carried out at ISDEV.

He added that the two parties will also cooperate in a variety of skill-building exercises, including community services for prospective teachers in religious teaching.

Also present were ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh; USM Legal Advisor, Khairul Anuar Che' Azmi; and the Acting Ambassador of Malaysia to Brunei, Haznah Md Hashim 

The Vice-Chancellor paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, YB Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman in the afternoon. Also present were the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs of Brunei Yang Mulia Pengiran Dato' Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar and the Ministry Secretary, YM Awang Haji Aziz bin Orang Kaya Maharajalela Haji Mohd Yusof. - www.usm.my  Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim

A NAS A WEEK - 10 DHUL QA'IDA 1434H

Allah extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. Indeed Allah is, of all things, Knowing [al-'Ankabut, 29:62].

THE AMAZING MIX OF MISDEV'13

Welcoming MISDEV'13 at the DPU

13 Sept - ISDEV welcomes the new batch of Masters in Social Science (Islamic Development Management) students on 28 August, 2013 at the University Conference Hall (DPU). 41 new students have been accepted to pursue their Masters (Mixed-Mode) for the academic year 2013/2014. In continuation of ISDEV tradition, this new batch of students is collectively known as MISDEV'13. 

ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr Zakaria Bahari (standing) welcoming ISDEV new students

Old and new -  every student is attentively listening to the briefing

The Ta'aruf Session (or Orientation Programme) for MISDEV'13 started at 10:00am with a welcoming speech and briefing by ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr. Zakaria Bahari. He started by introducing to the students on what ISDEV is all about. Then he gave a brief general overview of the structure of ISDEV, the courses to be attended by the students, introduced ISDEV lecturers as well as the modus operandi of the class to the batch of MISDEV'13.

The lovable personalities of ISDEV lecturers - (left to right)
Dr Zakaria, Dr Fadzila Azni,Dr. Zaini and Dr Zahri

In the spirit of ukhuwwah as exemplified by our beloved Rasulullah SAW, the current MISDEV'12 are regraded as the Ansar community while the new batch of MISDEV'13 are regarded as the Muhajirin community. The seniors as well as RISDEV students (consisting of PhD students and fully research mode Masters students) were also present to witness the seal of the brotherhood in ISDEV that day. 

Bersalam-salaman (Shaking of hands) as part of sealing Islamic ukhuwwah

The new batch of students is rather a unique mix and a first for ISDEV. Among MISDEV'13 students there is an ex-YB, a few full-time primary school teachers as well as international students from Yemen and Vietnam. Another first for ISDEV is that the student from Yemen is only well-versed in English and Arabic while the student from Vietnam is well-versed in Bahasa Melayu and Arabic.

A simple spread for the Jamuan Aidilfitri for all to enjoy

At the end of the session, there was time and space for everyone to mingle around, all within the dictates of the Shariah. ISDEV took the opportunity to invite one and all for a simple Jamuan Aidilfitri (Aidilfitri Feast) since everyone is still reeling in the festivities spirits back from their hometown for the Raya recently.

A NAS A WEEK - 5 DHULQA'IDA 1434

It was narrated from ‘Aishah and Abu Hurairah that when the Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) wanted to offer a sacrifice, he brought two large, fat, horned, black-and-white, castrated rams. He slaughtered one on behalf of his nation, for whoever testified to Allah with monotheism and that he had conveyed (the Message), and he slaughtered the other on behalf of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad (salallahu 'alaihi wassalam) [Hadith from Sunan Ibn Majjah, Chapter 26: Sacrifices, English reference: Vol. 1, Book 26, Hadith 3122; Arabic reference Book 26, Hadith 3241].

TWO UNUSUAL PRESENTATIONS

A confident Mohd Shakir (left) answers some questions from ISDEV members

3 Sept - Simple and concise. Those expressions can be described as Mohd Shakir Mohd Rosdi (PhD candidate) presented his PhD proposal on 23 July 2013 at C06, School of Social Sciences. He was one of the two ISDEV candidates who presented on their research proposals. The other candidate was Fakhruddin Abd Rahman.

One of the three slides used by Mohd Shakir in his PhD proposal presentation

Mohd Shakir presented on the title ‘Tahaluf Siyasi dalam Ekonomi Politik Islam: Satu Kajian (Tahaluf Siyasi in Islamic Political Economy: A Theoretical Study) received positive comments from the lecturers because of his simple and concise presentation. He tried adopting the recommendations given by ISDEV Director, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh to use only one or at least less than five power point slides in his PhD proposal presentation. His successful attempt prompted Prof. Syukri to challenge ISDEV students to follow suit, that is, strive to present using at least one and at the most five power point slides, in any of their presentations.

Fakhruddin Abd Rahman (left) presenting his Master's thesis proposal

Thereafter, ISDEV Masters candidate, Fakhruddin Abd Rahman, presented his proposal on his Masters’ thesis titled 'Pencapaian Pembangunan Wakaf di Masjid Kapitan Keling di Pulau Pinang’. His presentation was also considered unusual because his Masters proposal had been evaluated at a PhD level while the comments and guidance he received was equivalent to a PhD candidate. It was indeed an honour to him in recognition of his strive-hard attitude to produce a written thesis proposal of equal standing to a PhD proposal. Prof. Syukri reminded all ISDEV students present to make an example of his effort in producing writings of high quality.

ISDEV students at C06

ISDEV members must take note at all times that in ISDEV, all comments, recommendations and suggestions for improvement are not aimed at ridiculing one’s thesis or dissertation, but it is as a guide to produce better quality thesis and dissertation for an opportunity to be nominated for the best thesis award.

A NAS A WEEK - 26 SHAWWAL 1434

Except those [poets] who believe and do righteous deeds and remember Allah often and defend [the Muslims] after they were wronged. And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned (al-Shu'ara', 26:227).