IIUM In-Touch Special Edition 2024

6. What is your advice in the plan to build stronger connections between IIUM and her alumni? Alumni play a crucial role in the life of a university. When we look around, we see that some universities have thriving alumni networks that contribute significantly to their success, while others don’t fare as well. For IIUM, the connection with our alumni is invaluable, and I intend to emphasize this relationship throughout my rectorship. I’ll be reorganizing our alumni relations office to foster stronger communication and collaboration with our alumni groups, including the larger, established associations. We need to reach out to all alumni chapters, especially those outside Malaysia, where many of our former students hold significant positions. I’ve already started connecting with some of these groups, and we’re planning a major alumni event for 2025. This will be a significant opportunity to celebrate our graduates and, importantly, to call upon their support. Our alumni are a vital resource for the university’s financial and institutional health. When faced with financial challenges, prestigious institutions like Harvard turn to their alumni for assistance, and I am confident that IIUM’s alumni will respond just as generously. Sometimes, all they need is a reminder of the impact they can have on the future of their alma mater. InshaAllah, I look forward to strengthening this bond, making our alumni a central part of IIUM’s journey forward, for the benefit of the institution and the generations to come. 7. IIUM has always been regarded as a role model in the academia of the Islamic world, and you are amongst the 500 most influential Muslims in the world. Can you share some new ideas or strategies you hope to introduce to help IIUM students succeed in the Muslim world and globally? I shared recently that it’s incredibly heartening to see IIUM regarded as a role model for universities worldwide. But, to maintain this position, we must continually strive for excellence—both in thought and in practice. This commitment is embedded in our guiding principles, or the “Triple I’s”: Islamization, Integration, Internationalisation, and Comprehensive Excellence. However, the Arabic concept of Ihsan truly captures the spirit of this pursuit. Ihsan represents a deep commitment to excellence performed with an awareness of Allah’s presence. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described Ihsan as “worshipping Allah as if you see Him; and if you do not see Him, knowing that He sees you.” This idea extends beyond worship to every action, forming a foundational principle for us at IIUM. My goal is to ensure that we embody this standard of excellence, not just in the sciences, but across all aspects of academic and campus life. We must foster an environment where both modern and traditional knowledge thrive, and where comprehensive excellence is more than a motto. Achieving this requires advancement across all fields. In the sciences—engineering, medicine, pharmacy—we’ve made significant progress. Our researchers contribute meaningful discoveries, publishing influential work that is widely cited. Yet, I feel we must strengthen our reputation in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. Islamic tradition is rich in these fields, and I envision programs that amplify our unique heritage. If Muslims have won Nobel Prizes in these areas such as literature, why shouldn’t we aspire to the same in other fields? My own journey has taken me across multiple disciplines— from mathematics to philosophy, then to religion and civilization —and I believe in cultivating versatility among our scholars 16