THE 8th WAPI 2015 - AN ACADEMIC ESCAPADE IN MEDAN

Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) new campus

The International Workshop on Islamic Development (8th WAPI) was held on 11th June 2015. It took place at the new campus building for teaching and learning activities for post-graduate students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) located in Jalan Denai, Medan. It is an honour for ISDEV members to participate in the annual academic conference at the new campus that was officially operated on 29th January this year. A total number of 114 participants (74 participants from Malaysia and 40 participants from Indonesia) presented their working papers in the 8th WAPI.

ISDEV participants upon arriving at UMSU New Campus, Medan, Indonesia.

The workshop started with the opening ceremony by Rector of UMSU, Dr. Agussani MAP and Keynote Speech by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh, Director of ISDEV, USM. In his inspiring Keynote Speech, ‘The Non-Technical Errors in Thesis Writing’, Prof. Syukri  highlighted seven key points that majority of researchers did not realised and has engaged with since the focus has been put on the technical aspects only. In fact, these seven key points are crucial and essential in determining the success of writing.

The seven key points are:
1) Feeling Knowledgeable – egoistic - Ujub
2) Expecting Self Popularity  vs. Popularity of others thought.
3) Make writing as the tool to gain promotion (world), not as the tool to battle (hereafter).
4) Writing with Aqal and Nafs, ignoring the Qalb – ‘Soul’ is not in the writing.
5) Keeping the Mazmumah, Ignoring  Mahmudah.
6) Feel that writing is based on oneself efforts.
7) Freeing and escaping oneself from Allah SWT.

Prof. Syukri delivering his Keynote Speech.

The concurrent sessions of the 8th WAPI were held in two sessions, morning and afternoon. Unlike the previous 7th WAPI, the concurrent sessions this year has a reviewer, not only a moderator. The participants were divided into 10 seminar rooms that have 12 themes. The themes are Islamic Development, Islamic Banking and Finance, Islamic Methodology, Islamic Technology, Zakat and Wakaf, Islamic Management, Islamic Human Development, Islamic Education, Islamic Politic, Islamic Business, Islamic Law and Islamic Issue in general. It is the first experience of MISDEV 14 presenting their working paper, but Alhamdulillah, they survived with flying colours with positive feedback and comments received from the reviewer and other participants.

The 8th WAPI participants - during concurrent sessions.

On the same day, Prof. Syukri  was given the opportunity  to delivered his Public Lecture to UMSU Postgraduate Students entitled “Three Principles of Research Method” . The 8th WAPI ended at 5 p.m. and the academic gatherings continue with The 7th International Conference on Islamic Development (7th ICID) the next day at Hotel Madani, Medan. 

Prof. Syukri delivering his Public Lecture.

On the next morning, on 12 June 2015,  ISDEV delegates attended the 7th International Conference on Islamic Development (7th ICID). It was held at the Conference Room of Hotel Madani, Medan  with the theme "Islamic Economics and Business".

Prof. Syukri presenting his opening remarks at 7th ICID.

With the captivating title on ‘Economy Politic of ASEAN Community: An Islamic Perspective’, Prof. Syukri once again was given the honour to deliver the opening remarks for the 7th ICID. Meanwhile Prof. Dr. H. Amiur Nuruddin, the Director of Faculty of Islamic Economic and Islamic Business (FEBI) at Universitas Sumatera Utara was given a great opportunity to present a paper on ‘Islamic Business in the Perspective of Al-Quran dan Al-Sunnah’. Explaining the Islamic Business from the perspective of Al-Quran and Al-Sunnah, Prof. Dr. H. Amiur Nuruddin said that the utmost important in Islamic business is to follow the role of Rasullullah SAW, who have shown a good example in implementing all business in accordance to the syariah.

Associate Professor Dr. Zakaria Bahari presenting his paper on the afternoon session.

The afternoon session of 7th ICID continue with two more papers presented by Associate Professor Dr. Zakaria Bahari entitled ‘The Potential and Challenges of The Role of Islamic Banking and Sukuk in The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and Dr. Muhyarsyah from UMSU entitled ‘Islamic Finance and The Development’. The Conference was attended by 200 participants including both ISDEV and UMSU students and lecturers.

The visit to one of  ISDEV Alumni 's house- Allahyarham Dr. Suhrawadi.

The remaining days of ISDEV delegates in Medan was filled with visit to ISDEV alumni members house, Dr. Farid Wajdi and Allahyarham Dr. Suhrawardi. In a tribute to the late Dr. Suhrawardi, ISDEV introduced the "Dr. Suhrawardi Award" for the best paper presented since the 6th WAPI in 2013. This year, the award not only was open to ISDEV presenters but to all the participants. The winners for the "Dr. Suhrawardi Award" are Farah Farhana Johari, Kamarul Arifin Ithnan, Nor Hatizal Amrul Shah, Azreen Hamiza Abdul Aziz and Nur’ Arifah Mohd Nor. All the winners received their awards from the late Dr. Suhrawardi wife, Puan Latifah. In the additional tour around the city, the delegates also visit some famous tourist attractions such as, Istana Maimun, Medan’s famous Pajak Ikan, and book shops to fulfill the excitement traveling experience in Medan. ISDEV will continue to visit Medan again next year, InsyaAllah.

One of the winners of 'Dr. Suhrawadi Award'- first place, Farah Farhana Johari.