Sejahtera Academic Framework (SAF)
6 5 For change we must. But we change not to simply adapt, we change to also affect the changes that we want. The SAF is not a definitive answer cast in stone for perpetuity, for the specifics will continue to change as needed, but it has been developed to allow the University to move ahead in unison while maintaining our core values. SAF is envisioned to be a platform for the various parts of the universities to speak together in a common language that speaks to contemporary and future issues, allowing everyone to develop and fulfill our potential. Hence, a thorough reading of this volume is recommended. SAF is our beginning to a more integrated collaboration, and it is hoped that this will be the start of more dialogues and discussions that will enrich our lives - the students, the staff, and the larger community. May Allah ease and bless all our efforts. LIHANNA BORHAN DZULKIFLI ABDUL RAZAK INTRODUCTION The higher education world is currently populated by faculties and staff who grew up in a different kind of environment. But these are also the ones who were behind the many innovations and disruptions the world went through. The impact of the research and development; plus policy-input from those in universities around the world cannot be marginalised. So far from being “dinosaurs in ivory towers,” universities have been at the frontier of knowledge. However, the impact of the innovations may have gone beyond the expectations of the innovators. For example, thirty years ago, the internet was a nascent element of society, it is now ubiquitous, and the technology advancement has been gigantic. Society has embraced this, yet society is also struggling to handle its impact. This includes the higher education world. On the positive side, there is a wider knowledge web, that is accessible by many and no longer the elite few, and everyone can learn so much. Yet on the other hand, there is rampant plagiarism, and perhaps the rise of “fly-by-night” experts. This is just one example of the complexity of the world today, from the innovations whose roots can in some ways be traced back to universities. As the world was discussing the IR4.0 disruption and its impact on society, including higher education; another unexpected non-technological disruption occurred in the form of the COVID19 pandemic. And once again, society has to grapple with its impact. Universities may choose to manage, or universities may choose to lead. Disruptions will continue to occur, at a rate faster than previously experienced; and universities will need to continually make the choice - are they going to just manage and adapt, or are they going to lead the way? And how to do so without sacrificing the soul of the university? It is with this in mind that the Sejahtera Academic Framework was crafted - to enable International Islamic University Malaysia to not just manage or adapt, but to lead the way - foreseeing the incoming disruptions, coming up with our own innovative solutions, while maintaining true to our vision and mission, especially on serving Allah and bringing good to the world ( Raḥmatan lil- ʿ Ā lamīn ) - in short, educating in current students “now” to face the future, regardless of what the future might be. Hence, the need to provide an environment that is transformative, that develops both the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and most importantly - values that will bode well for the graduates and the society. This mandates a change in the delivery processes beyond the curriculum delivery but on the management of the University.
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