A DELIGHTFUL START TO 2016

ISDEV welcomes 2016 with two joyous news; the extended service bestowed on ISDEV Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh and the appointment of new ISDEV Deputy Director, Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad. 

Following the end of his appointment as ISDEV Director on 31 December 2015, Prof. Syukri has been reappointed as ISDEV Director for a duration of one year beginning on 1 January 2016 till 31 December 2016. In the meantime Dr. Fadzila Azni is ISDEV Deputy Director beginning 1 January 2016 till 31 December 2018. Her appointment is for the duration of three years. 

Prof. Syukri is the founder of the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies, or ISDEV, founded in 1995 at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Initially known as the International Project for Islamic Political Economy (IPIPE), the name then evolved into Islamic Development Management Project (IDMP) in 1997, and finally, to its present name, Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV) in September 2005. In 14 May 2014, ISDEV finally received a Watikah from USM Legal Advisor upgrading its stature from a Virtual Centre previously to the current Research Centre of Excellence (CoE). As such ISDEV now operates independently from the School of Social Sciences. Prof Syukri has been at the pinnacle of ISDEV position since it was known as IDMP.

ISDEV Founder and Director - The wisdom Professor Dr. Muhammad Syukri Salleh contributes to the excellence and success of Islamic Development Management

Prof. Syukri's service with USM dates back from 1981. In 1991 he was conferred with the title "Dr." upon the completion of his D.Phil thesis (Islamic-Based Development) at the revered University of Oxford, UK. His D.Phil thesis received the thumbs up from his examiners as no corrections need to be made to his D.Phil thesis. Upon his return to USM he was appointed in 1992 as the Chairman of the Development Studies Programme (now known as Development Planning and Management Programme), School of Social Sciences, USM. Two years later he became the Associate Professor of the said Programme until October 2000 when he received his full professorship, a title that he carries with him to this very day.

Meanwhile, being meticulous and having the ability to understand every struggle ISDEV had to face and overcome from ISDEV inception is the main factor that has enabled Dr. Fadzila Azni to be appointed as ISDEV Deputy Director. 

According to Prof. Syukri, although the ultimate decision was made by the university, nonetheless as ISDEV Director he was given the opportunity to nominate those who are eligible to be his deputy as well as together strive to move ISDEV further forward as not just a Research Centre of Excellence but also as the National Reference Centre and Regional Reference Centre in the near future.

Dr. Fadzila Azni Ahmad, well known for her well mannered and calm disposition,
with her beloved son and husband

He added that all those who were nominated have the required qualifications and criteria however fortune seems to side Dr. Fadzila Azni. Personally he is pleased with this appointment as Dr. Fadzila Azni's fastidous attitude in all matters be it in administration or academic. She is also among the oldest member of ISDEV who had witnessed the stumbles and rise, the tribulations and successes thus  having the right acumen to understand ISDEV struggles, objectives, mission and vision.

Meanwhile, Dr. Fadzila Azni expressed her special gratitude to Prof. Syukri and generally to ISDEV members and USM for the trust bestowed on her to take up such a heavy responsibility. Dr. Fadzila  Azni started her career as ISDEV Senior Lecturer in 2011 after graduating with her PhD on the Management Methods of Islamic-based Development Institutions. Besides her renowned "meticulousness" as described by Prof. Syukri, Dr. Fadzila Azni is also well known for her well mannered and calm disposition thus keeping up to her per name "Suekainah" or "Dr. Sue" among ISDEV members.

With such joyous news, ISDEV is confident that Prof. Syukri and Dr. Fadzila Azni will together be able to set new and higher goals for ISDEV members to meet and thus achieve greater success especially in the name of Islam. 

Congratulations to Prof. Syukri and Dr. Fadzila Azni!