SHARING ON QALB BASED MANAGEMENT

The Participants from UPM Pusat Islam.

From 8 May until 10 May, 2015, four ISDEV lecturers including ISDEV Director, Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh were invited to speak to the staff of Pusat Islam, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) staff and were appointed as the facilitators for the 'Program Pengukuhan Sahsiah Diri Staf" (Strengthening Self Personality of Staff Programme). The 3-day long programme was organised by the Islamic Centre of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM Pusat Islam) at Felda Residence Trolak Resort, Sungkai, Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Prof. Syukri presented his talk on Qalb-based Management.

According to the Director of UPM Pusat Islam, Dr. Razali Othman, the main objective of this programme was to introduce the concept or the principle that ISDEV had been implementing all these while. Specifically it was aimed at introducing the pragmatic aspects of Qalb-based (Heart-based) Management which is an approach to the learning and management of Hati ke Hati (or Heart to Heart) to the staff of UPM Pusat Islam.

Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi talks about "Keberkatan Rezeki" (The Blessings of Sustenance).

This Qalb-based Management is a rather unique approach that sets it apart from the mainstream management methods widely available globally. It is something new and interesting to apply and implemented in management. So Dr. Razali had taken this opportunity to execute this Qalb-based Management approach and the principle of shared responsibility based on this Islamic approach to be introduced to the staff. He further added that should this pilot programme be a success, this Qalb-based Management approach would be suggested to the top management of UPM and implemented to all staff in UPM.

Dr Shahir Akram delivering his talk on the implications of Qalb-based Management
towards attracting blessings at work.

He also added that he purposely invited the lecturers from ISDEV to be the facilitators because ISDEV was the only institution that ventured and implemented the Qalb-based Management to its students and staff. With the achievement made by ISDEV so far, to him ISDEV has proven that the principle and approach were among the key elements that had successfully created the ‘one family’ environment among ISDEV members. 

Dr. Syakir in action talking on a topic that is very close to his heart.

All of them gave a talk related to Qalb and the principle behind the ‘Hati ke Hati’ concept. The talks included the Qalb-based Management approach and the implications of Qalb Management as a magnet that could attract blessings from the duties that are carried out in the name of one's employment or service.

The participants with Dr Razali Othman, Director of Pusat Islam, UPM (seated - four from right) and ISDEV lecturers.

The three days programme ended with a photo group session among the participants for their keeps. On the same note, ISDEV is indeed honoured with the opportunity given to share this approach with other institutions. It is also hoped that the management of the administration in other institutions could also be carried out more efficiently using Islamic-based concept as is being practised in ISDEV.

DR. SHAHIR EMBARKS FURTHER ON HIS RESEARCH

ISDEV researchers, Dr.Shahir (2nd from right) and Dr. Shukri (3rd from right) in front of the UniSZA observatory.

Dr. Shahir Akram Hassan Al-Hafiz who obtained his inaugural grant of University Research Individual (RUI) on "Pengaplikasian Rukyah dan Hisab di Asia Tenggara" (The Application of Rukyah (Moon Sighting) and Calculations in Southeast Asia) has begun conducting the second stage in the first phase of his empirical research with his co-researcher Dr. Mohd Shukri Hanapi. They were at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Terengganu, from 19 until 22 April 2015 to collect some data.

A look at the interior of the observatory and reading some of the information displayed there.

According to Dr. Shahir Akram, this is the second leg of the empirical research that has been conducted after they went to Brunei Darussalam to collect the data under the same research grant. In UniSZA, they met up with Malaysia's astronomy expert Associate Professor Dr. Baharuddin Zainal to discuss details of their plans to collaborate the conduct of the research in the very near future.

Having a discussion with a representative of ESERI.

They also made some collaborations with the East Cost Environmental Research Institute (ESERI), UnisZA where they are looking into avenues to combine astronomy with environmental science in conducting the second phase of the research. Meanwhile the two ISDEV researches also paid a visit to the Balai Cerap UniSZA (Observatory) situated at Bukit Merang, Merang, Setiu. They had the opportunity to observe planet Venus through a special telescope as well as collected data for their research.

Observing Venus

As part of the effort to collect data in the research, the third leg of the first phase research will see these researchers scheduled to fly to West Java (Jawa Barat), Indonesia this coming August. They intend to observe moon sighting at the Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi as it is said that the place is very special where one can sight the moon with the naked eyes. Dr. Shahir also added that as soon as his team finish collecting data in Indonesia, the research team will then proceed with their research by visiting other observatories such as in Singapura as well as the southern countries of Malaysia including Johor, Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka.

A NAS A WEEK - 6 SHA'BAAN 1436H

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best (way) and best in result [al-Nisaa', 4:59].

A FIRST FOR MISDEV'14 - ISDEV MONTHLY GRADUATE SUPERVISION

One of the slides by Dr. Shahir Akram Hassan for the April Monthly Graduate Supervision.

The first ISDEV Monthly Graduate Supervision for this year took place on Friday, 24th April 2015 at C06 Social Sciences Conference Room, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). It was actually the first of such experience for MISDEV'14 (ISDEV Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) students and the newly registered RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research Mode) students.

The session started at 9 a.m. with a lecture on Penganalisisan Kualitatif dan Penaakulan (Qualitative Analysis and Reasoning) delivered by ISDEV Senior Lecturer, Dr. Shahir Akram Hassan. He identified three main problems that graduate students always encounter when writing a thesis which are 1) Consistency of Argumentation 2) Structure of Argumentation and 3) Continuity of Argumentation. This problem is most evidently found in Chapter Four of the theses submitted by students.

Dr Shahir Akram (in white) delivering his lecture on Reasoning Method and the Application of Logic

In order to overcome these three identified problems, Reasoning Method (Kaedah Penaakulan) and the Application of Logic (Aplikasi Mantik) can be applied in writings. Students must observe the rules of categorization and employ critical and analytical thinking in their writings. Continuity of argumentation itself is of vital importance.

Dr. Mohd Syakir (centre) posing a question during the Question & Answer session. 

Giving the explanation for almost one hour and a half, students as well as other lecturers never missed a chance to pose their questions related to the topic discussed during the Question & Answer session. Dr. Shahir Akram tried to give a clear explanation so that all present are able to fully comprehend and thoroughly understand the approach to logical argumentation he mentioned throughout his lecture.

Also present that day were ISDEV Director, Prof. Muhammad Syukri Salleh, ISDEV Deputy Director Dr. Zakaria Bahari, ISDEV lecturers as well as ISDEV administrative staff.

IT IS ALL ABOUT GETTING BACK TO FITRAH

Introducing the month's topic in the Tarbiyah Pengarah ISDEV for April 2015.

"Memperkasa ISDEV Melalui Fitrah" (Empowering ISDEV through Fitrah) was the catch title of the day for the Tarbiyyah Pengarah ISDEV in April, 2015. This was the topic of the monthly address to ISDEV fraternity by ISDEV Director, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh. It was held at the Conference Room of C06, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia on 24 April 2015.

 

In his address, Prof Syukri talked about how to strengthen ISDEV in our innate natural state (fitrah). According to him, Fitrah referred to something naturally inborn in everyone such as the love for happiness through righteousness. Happiness can be achieved by striving (mujahadah) to have a pure heart, and an accurate instinct and intuition. Mujahadah is to elude from mazmumah (despicable) attributes which is undeniably not an easy endeavour, but it is nonetheless not impossible.

Astute and demurely looking Prof. Syukri reminding ISDEV fraternity the importance of staying true to one's fitrah.

It is very much related to tazkiah al-nafs and the knowledge on tasawwuf. Tasawwuf is the science of the path to Allah SWT. It is the course on how a believer cleanse the heart by the avoidance or shying away from mazmumah properties of the vile and reprehensible while filling the heart with mahmudah properties or attributes of honour.

Unlike previously held Monthly Graduate Supervision that were attended by lecturers and students only, this session was joined by ISDEV administrative staff too. This was to ensure the accomplishment of a mission to develop ISDEV as a research centre of excellence which was full of contentment was sustainable and could be realised. Each and every ISDEV member was reminded to develop within themselves God-consciousness and to help the society at large to develop the same as well. Prof Syukri reiterated that was the only way to shun away pride and ego which could destroy man's fitrah.

Not wanting to miss a point, all eyes were on the screen to mentally capture and understand each and every point stressed by Prof Syukri in his monthly address.

Before ending the Tarbiyyah Pengarah ISDEV with a Question and Answer session, Prof Syukri invited all the administrative staff and ISDEV lecturers to express their feelings as well as experience working at ISDEV. All in all ISDEV students were given a holistic feel of what is to be a member at ISDEV.

A NAS A WEEK - 29 RAJAB 1436H

Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Teach others, make things easy, and do not make things difficult. When one of you is angry, he should remain silent.” [Source: Musnad Ahmad, 2137, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Ahmad Shakir]

3 NEW BOOKS BY ISDEV MEMBERS PUBLISHED

The close knit collaboration between ISDEV and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) is proven once again with the publication of three new books written by ISDEV members. 

The covers of the three new books - all published by Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka.

These books are written by 2 RISDEV (ISDEV Postgraduate by Research) students, Puan Azrin Ibrahim and Cik Norazilawati Md Dahlal and 1 MISDEV'12 (ISDEV Postgraduate by Mixed-Mode) student, Cik Che Nurmahirah Che Ghaffar. 

Azrin had written a book on ‘Amalan Hisbah di Malaysia’ (Hisbah Practices in Malaysia) while Norazilawati's book was on ‘Pengurusan Kualiti Makanan Halal’ (Quality Management of Halal Food). “Kepimpinan dan Kepatuhan dalam Pengurusan Insaniah Berdasarkan Sirah Nabawiyah” (Leadership and Compliance in Human Management based on the History of Prophet Muhammad) was the title of the book written by Che Nurmahirah.

With the close rapport forged between ISDEV members and DBP's editors, these books were successfully completed within the prescribed period of time albeit the struggles and juggling of various responsibilities that each ISDEV member had to handle. With this display of ability, hard work and keeping diligently within the time frame prescribed, ISDEV is confident of producing more scholarly books. In fact, there are another 12  new books scheduled to be published in the near future.

Should you be keen to get a copy of these books or require further details regarding these books, do log on to http://isdev.usm.my/index.php/book-list.

INGRAW IS HERE AGAIN: CALL FOR PAPERS

The Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with the cooperation of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS), USM is organizing The 10th ISDEV International Graduate Workshop (INGRAW 2015). The 2-days conference is scheduled to be held on 27 and 28 October 2015 at the University Conference Hall of USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

This workshop is for all aspiring researchers who are steadfastly pursuing their Masters or PhD degrees. It specifically caters to the needs of aspiring academicians who are seeking the right platform to present any aspects of their research. The only condition is that the research that is to be presented at INGRAW 2015 must relate to Islam. 

This international standing workshop is opened to all postgraduate students within and outside Malaysia who are pursuing their research on any disciplines but must be related to Islam. Those who are interested to join and keen to know more about this graduate workshop can log on to ingraw2015.blogspot.com 

If you are keen and aspire to participate in INGRAW2015, the invitation to submit your abstract is now open.The deadline for the submission of abstract is on 25 July 2015. All abstracts are to be emailed directly to Ms. Azrin Ibrahim at azrinibrahim.usm@gmail.com or the secretariat of INGRAW 2015 at
ingraw2015@gmail.com