TAKING THE ISDEV-UNISSA TIES TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Arrived at Brunei Darussalam and welcomed by Dr. Hjh Rasinah (right) and Dr. Siti Sara (2nd from right).

ISDEV Drector, Professor Muhammad Syukri Salleh and ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr. Zakaria Bahari were at Brunei Darussalam from 19 till 22 May 2015 to further the research agenda through various means of collaborations and academic co-operations between ISDEV and Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA).

Book editing in process - reciting the do'a before commencing the session.

Among such cooperation is the publishing of a book from the results of ten papers presented in the ISDEV- 5th Research University Team (ISDEV-RUT) Workshop that was held last March under the 'Negara Zikir' cluster. The editing process was jointly led by ISDEV Director, Prof. Syukri. The group agreed to have the book published with the title ‘Dasar dan Strategi Negara Zikir’, scheduled to be published this coming October in conjunction with UNISSA’s Convocation Ceremony.

Full of concentration as a focus mind and hard work are needed to discuss future ISDEV-UNISSA collobaration. On the right with balck 'songkok' is the Rector of UNISSA, Dr Norarfan Zainal

There were also discussions on the future collaborations with UNISSA. One such result is the publication of a forthcoming book entitled ‘Visualisasi Pembangunan Negara Zikir Brunei Darussalam’. In addition, the application of new projects and grants were discussed. Two new projects have been identified - the 'Brunei Vision 2035 Revisited' and 'Debt Culture in Brunei Darussalam’.

In the meantime, Dr. Zakaria Bahari had the opportunity to meet up and collect further data for his ‘Istibdal Waqf Project’ with team members from UNISSA,  Dr. Kamaru Salam Yusof, Dr. Fadzliwati Mohiddin and Dr. Hjh Rose Abdullah. A book with the proposed  title on 'Istibdal Wakaf di Brunei dan Malaysia’ is in the pipeline once the research is completed.

Discussing on the possibility of getting research grants from Brunei Research Council with Tuan Haji Amin, Deputy Director of Brunei's Department of Economic Development (JKPE)  who is in-charge of the grants.

Meanwhile, the Rector of UNISSA, Dr. Hj Norarfan Hj Zainal had also agreed and approved the First ISDEV-UNISSA Socio-Academic Laboratory (MASA) to be held for a month at UNISSA, from 27th July to 28th August 2015. During the duration, ISDEV students are scheduled to stay in Brunei Darussalam led by ISDEV lecturer Dr. Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan. The program will be filled with activities such as learning Arabic, recreational activities involving friendly matches between ISDEV and UNISSA, study visits to learn and know more about the culture in Brunei including the way of life and customs of the local people, community service, and academic colloqium.

Apart from the above, ISDEV Deputy Director Dr. Zakaria Bahari will also be in Brunei Darussalam from November 2015 to January 2016 for his proposed sabbatical.