ISDEV HONOURED BY THE VISIT OF MAINPP DELEGATES

A brotherly atmosphere at C05 in which the visit took place.

As a new Research Centre of Excellence (CoE) that focuses its research on Islam, the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV) was recently honoured with the visit of six delegates from Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP) on 15 January 2015. MAINPP representatives made clear that the main aim of visiting ISDEV was to strengthen the Islamic ukhuwwah (brotherhood) between these two institutions besides establishing cooperation through the various researches conducted in ISDEV. 

Prof. Syukri giving a general introduction on ISDEV to MAINPP delegates.

This visit is a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ISDEV and MAINPP. ISDEV Director, Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh who chaired the meeting, gave a detailed overview of ISDEV which included the various academic courses offered, past and on-going research that ISDEV is embarked in as well as ISDEV plans for the future. 

MAINPP delegates showed their keenness with the current research embarked by Dr.Shahir (right)
who is seen providing a brief overview of his research.

Based on the briefing, the MAINPP delegations led by Dr. Daniel Haji Zainal Abidin (MAINPP Council Member) was impressed with the various achievements ISDEV had accomplished. The delegations expressed their keenness to transform selected researches of ISDEV for the general public's consumption that can be of great benefit specifically to MAINPP and to the whole Islamic community in general.

Dr. Daniel (left) impressed with the research embarked by ISDEV while others  MAINPP Council members listened with interest

At the end of the discussion, both institutions have reached a consensus in which five research groups are formed. Among them are:

1) Masjid Cluster

Head:  Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh
Member: Dr. Mohd Syakir Mohd Rosdi
2) Waqf and Asset Cluster

Head: Dr Zakaria Bahari
Member: Dr. Shahir Akram Hassan
3)Zakat Cluster
Head: Mohd Shukri Hanapi
Member: Dr. Zakaria Bahari
4)Human Development and Index Cluster
Head: Dr. Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan
Member: Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad
5)Development Institutions and Quality Cluster
Head: Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad
Member: Dr.Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan

With the establishment of these five research groups, it is expected that related researches can run smoothly and that both institutions will be able to benefit from the findings obtained. The results of the research is hoped to be able to be disseminated to and practised by the Islamic community so as to have a more holistic way of life at all times with the Islamic worldview.

A group photo of ISDEV and MAINPP to commemorate the visit.

Besides Dr. Daniel Haji Zainal Abidin, the meeting was also attended by Dato' Sazali Haji Hussein (Secretary of MAINPP), Putri Irhanan Sapeli (Manager of Baitulmal Section, MAINPP), Ustaz Fakhruddin Abdul Rahman (Head of Waqf, MAINPP), Ustaz Rosidi Hussain (MAINPP Council Member), and Ustaz Afnan Hamimi Dato' Taib Azamudden (MAINPP Council Member). In the meantime ISDEV members who joined the meeting were ISDEV Deputy Director Dr. Zakaria Bahari, and ISDEV lecturers, Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad, Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi, Dr. Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan, Dr. Mohd Syakir Mohd Rosdi, Dr. Shahir Akram Hassan, ISDEV Senior Assistant Registrar Encik Kamarudin Mohamed Ismail Merican and ISDEV Statistician, Encik Aziz Tahar.