Kota Kinabalu: The State Government, through Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah (Muis) and the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains), is spearheading a strategic twin university programme with Universiti Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt.
State Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said the initiative was secured following a recent official visit by a Sabah delegation to Cairo, with Sabah among the earliest to obtain the opportunity due to its good relations with Universiti Al-Azhar.
“The university has agreed to implement the programme covering the fields of medicine, Usuluddin, Syariah, dakwah, Dirasat Islami Awal Arabia, Islamic Studies and Arabic Language.
“A Follow-up Committee will be chaired by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Isnin Aliasnih, to ensure smooth planning and implementation,” he said.
Arifin, who is also State Religious Affairs Exco, said Universiti Al-Azhar had agreed to accept religious officers, preachers and related officers from Sabah to undergo Islamic training and understanding programmes for several weeks or months in Cairo.
“The initial target is to realise at least two of the three main initiatives agreed upon within a year, in line with efforts to strengthen Sabah’s Islamic education network at the international level.
“In addition, several key understandings were reached, including Universiti Al-Azhar’s willingness to offer scholarships to students from Sabah.
“Selected students will be placed at Ma’ahad Buuth Islamiyyah Al-Azhar, the university’s international hostel that brings together students from various countries, which
will help enhance their command of Arabic and understanding of international Islamic culture,” he said at the event attended by 1,000 individuals.
Sabah sends more than 50 students annually to further their studies at Universiti Al-Azhar with various forms of support and educational assistance from the State Government.
The Sabah Government described the collaboration opportunity as a meaningful achievement that is difficult to obtain and expressed hope it would be fully utilised for the development of education and religion.
