70 ISDEV MEMBERS IN MEDAN

USM Vice Chancellor, Prof Dato' Dr. Omar Osman (left) with ISDEV Lecturers (from right to left) Prof Syukri, Dr Zahri, Dr. Zakaria and Dr Mohd Shukri

On 4 May 2014, 70 delegates from ISDEV left for an academic trip to Medan, Indonesia. They were there to participate in two academic gatherings as well as make a visit to several interesting places nearby. The trip was led by ISDEV Director, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh assisted by Deputy Director, Dr. Zakaria Bahari. Two other ISDEV lecturers, Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi and Dr. Zahri Hamat also joined in this academic trip. However what is made more special in this year's trip is the presence of USM Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman with the ISDEV entourage. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Omar is scheduled to deliver a tazkirah after Subh and Maghrib congregational prayers for ISDEV delegates whilst there.

The sisters of ISDEV await patiently at the Penang International Airport for boarding

The five days academic trip included a two days academic gatherings jointly organized by ISDEV and Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU). The first is the 6th International Conference on Islamic Development (6th ICID) with the theme Transformasi Gaya Hidup Halal (Transformation of a Halal Lifestyle) followed by the Workshop Antarabangsa Pembangunan Berteraskan Islam Ke-7 (7th WAPI) scheduled for the next day. The 7th WAPI would see ISDEV students presenting their respective working papers.

Having a light moment together, Prof. Dato' Dr. Omar (second from right) with Prof. Syukri Salleh (right)

In both of these academic gatherings USM Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman would deliver the Keynote Address for the 6th ICID as well as the 7th WAPI. Besides the keynote address, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Omar is also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between USM and UMSU for academic collaborations, students' exchange and researches between these two universities.

The remaining days would be filled with a visit to the Islamic traditional centres of learning (pondok agama or pasentren). ISDEV members are also expected to visit Berastagi to ponder upon and appreciate the nature as signs of Allah SWT creations.The delegates are scheduled to return on Friday and is expected to arrive in Malaysia at around 8.30pm, insya Allah.