Sejahtera Academic Framework (SAF)

110 109 accountable for ensuring the programmes are run as per the standards set by the relevant bodies, Senate is accountable for ensuring that the programmes offered are the best that could be offered. Hence, governance should continue to be strengthened. Good governance will lead to more empowerment, flexibility and innovations while ensuring accountability. Good governance is not about policing. It is about providing an environment where people are able to grow and develop while not on their ethics and beliefs. Good governance as envisioned in SAF is person-centred, but it is not individual-driven. As the highest academic body in the University, the Senate is entrusted to ensure this good governance in academicmanagement and policies are in place towards the realisation of SAF. Accountability to Allah is deeply rooted in our concept of amānah . Whatever role we play in the University, discharging our responsibilities and duties to the best of our ability is part of our amānah to Allah. A Different Kind of Impact Factor The impact of these four (4) specific guiding principles and the general principle of a transformative educational experience should in time be manifested in the classrooms, the student spaces, the staff spaces, the Senate, to name a few. Classrooms become lively places to debate issues and exchange viewpoints. Research labs become active spaces to germinate ideas and provide solutions. Student spaces - the mahallah, the cafeterias, the libraries, the recreational spaces, themosques - are buzzingwith students extending their learning experiences beyond the classroom. Staff spaces are also buzzing with discussions on creating new and exciting educational or living experiences, or innovative ideas for research and community engagement. The Senate is alive with careful and informed deliberations on the innovative ideas presented to them, setting the tone for the rest of the academic community. The administrative agencies are also alive - ongoing collaboration with relevant parties across the board is the norm as everyone seeks to find ways to provide the most effective services. Everyone is enthusiastic about helping each other become better while maintaining the integrity of their work. Just as the classroom goes beyond the walls, work is also not limited to the desk job; however the spirit is one of benevolence and ukhuwah. In short, the jami’ah insāniah becomes a reality. Microcredential Potential Initiatives One of the initiatives that will manifest itself from having this flexibility is the offering of micro-credential courses. Microcredentials is a certification of learning of a smaller set of courses/ module/training programme which are designed to provide learners with knowledge, skills, values and competencies in a narrow area of study and/or practice. To be more competitive, students and working adults can look to micro- credentials to upskill and reskill, as well as create more value and demonstrate a certain level of mastery that would make themmore attractive to employers. It is designed in such a way to make learning and training very flexible, manageable, convenient and affordable. Many developments have enabled and accelerated the emergence and popularity of microcredentials. The knowledge economy of the 21st century intensified the demand for access to education on a lifelong basis. The Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals called for more access to quality education for all throughout the lifespan of citizens to address socio-economic inequality (see also section 5.1). Open and distance learning which can be delivered through various means such as e-learning, fully online education and mobile learning can be provided to a larger audience overcoming and constraints of the geographical divide. Given the expertise available in IIUM, and with the flexibility now afforded by SAF, IIUM should be able to position itself as a major provider of micro- credential courses; not just in terms of academic content, but also in terms of providing courses that change the person and advance the society. MicroMasters Another off-shoot of microcredential is the micromaster track. Courses offered as microcredentials may later be transferred to a Masters programme should the student decide to embark on a more traditional masters programme. The option of stackable microcredentials leading to a macro credential should be explored by the kulliyyahs. The student learning experience could also come frommicrocredential courses taken in other partner universities. This approach not only allows potential students to embark on a postgraduate education journey in their own schedule prior to actually registering, hence reducing time to formally complete the degree, but also allows them to gain knowledge from experts in other universities at a fraction of the cost. The University should embark on this cross-cutting initiative.