iNASA Programme Book

Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdelaziz Berghout Dean, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC-IIUM) PLENARY SPEAKERS Thakur S. Powdyel is an educator by choice, conviction and passion. He served as Minister of Education from 2008 to 2013. As the country’s first democratically elected Minister of Education, he moved Bhutan towards fulfilling the MDGs and the country’s constitutional mandate for education. His major interests include institutional integrity, national self-respect, moral literacy and gross national happiness. Powdyel’s vision of holistic education as expressed in My Green School has been translated into several languages. He is a recipient of the Gusi Peace Prize, the Global Education Award, and the Distinguished Service Award for his pioneering work in Education as well as the Coronation Gold Medal 2008 and the Institutional Award: The Honour of Druk Thuksey 2012. HE Thakur S. Powdyel Former Minister of Education, Royal Government of Bhutan Prof. Datuk Dr. Abdelaziz Berghout is currently the Dean of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM) and the OIC's External Advisor on Cultural, Social, and Family Affairs (2020-2025). He served as the Deputy Rector of IIUM (2011-2018) and Dean of Corporate Strategy and Quality Assurance (2009-2011). Prof Aziz has a Ph.D. in Islamic History and Civilisation and a second Ph.D. in Education (Curriculum Development and Instruction). He was invited to serve as the chairman of the OIC’s Committee on developing the Strategy for Empowerment of Family and Marriage Institution in OIC member Countries (2019); chief coordinator of the OIC committee for the Preparation of a Guiding Policy Document on the Integration of Ethics and Values in Children, Women, and Family for the Benefit of OIC Member Countries, (2023). He served as the Deputy President of the African-Asian Union of Universities (2021-2022), Member of the Board of Governors of the International Academics University (UK-Virtual University, 2022-2023). 8