A new university is set to be established by 2018 by Mercy Mission Malaysia

Malaysia’s increasing demand for Islamic based education is bringing in more private organisations to provide these services.

Mercy Mission Malaysia is a non-profitable organisation founded by Dr Tawfique Chowdhury and has some big plans for Malaysia. The organisation plans to establish a university by 2018.

Tawfique said that the organisation is discussing the matter with the Higher Education Ministry about the establishment of the university that is estimated to cost some RM100 million over 20-acre area of land. The new university could accommodate 20,000 students.

"We have started discussing with the Higher Education Minstry and have made some significant progress. We are working on the license," he told Bernama. However, the location of the campus is yet to be announced.

According to Tawfique, the new university aims to produce well-rounded Muslim graduates by combining Islamic knowledge with mainstream education. For instance, the university would offer a dual degree programme like Islamic studies coupled with medicine, law or architecture.

"I will not allow any student in the university to graduate with one degree, it must be a double-degree programme," he added. He firmly believes that this is the best way to achieve the university’s goals.

Mercy Mission Malaysia or (MMM), also operates AlKauthar Institute, which provides specialist learning opportunities for professional students, and Seven Skies International School, an international school that provides a holistic education and a comprehensive development of young learners by having a unique curriculum.

Tawfique said that the university is to attract students from the two organisations operated by the mission.

He said that funding for the university will be provided from public funding in the form of donations. The syllabus would have to follow the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s (MQA) standards in order to get approved.

The mission’s establishment dates back to 2005 in Australia.