Academic Strength of International Islamic University Malaysia

The idea to establish the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) was mooted on 12 January 1982 by Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, at a meeting with the then Minister of Education, Dato' Amar Dr. Sulaiman Daud, the Director - General of Education, Tan Sri Dato' Hj Murad bin Mohd. Nor and two other persons.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamal bin Hassan, then of University Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia), a senior academic official who attended the meeting, was entrusted with preparing the first working paper on the concept of the university which the Hon. Prime Minister had in mind. The university was meant to be a comprehensive institution of higher learning offering degree programmes in the sciences, engineering & technology, medicine, social sciences and arts. Islamic values would, however, be integrated into all the disciplines.

IIUM was officially established on 20 May 1983 when the University received its 'Establishment Order' from His Majesty the Yang Dipertua Agong, HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah ibni AlMarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mu'adzam Shah, after an exchange of Diplomatic Notes of co-sponsorship between the Government of Malaysia and a number of Muslim Governments as well as the Organization Islamic Conference (OIC). The university's language of instruction was to be English and Arabic, and many of its students would have to come from overseas. As the Malaysian law did not allow for this, IIUM was incorporated under the Companies Act of 1965. Thus, it became the first international university and the first public university in Malaysia to use English as the medium of instruction and administration.

The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) supports innovative and beneficial research through the Research Management Centre (RMC). As the University is moving towards obtaining a ‘Research University’ status it is imperative that a high percentage of its teaching community is involved in research and consultancy activities. IIUM was awarded the best Islamic Finance University in Global Banking and Finance Award 2017. Figure 1 shows the academic research rewards and recognitions for the year 2018 and 2019.

Figure 1: Academic Research awards and recognitions 2018 - 2019

In the past years, IIUM researchers and their innovations have competed with the best in the world and have achieved many medals and prizes nationally and internationally under the flagship of RMC (Research Management Center). RMC was entrusted to be the Secretariat for IIUM MyRA (Malaysia Research Assessment) starting 2015. In relation to this, IIUM achieved 5 Star MyRA in 2015, 2017 and 2018. However, we achieved 4 Star MyRA in 2016. IIUM is indeed proud of obtaining a globally competitive research culture. List of some inventors and their inventions are be shown in the figure 2.

Figure 2: List of Inventions & Inventors

Leading the university, Prof. Tan Sri Dzulkifli bin Abdul Razak is a Malaysian Emeritus Professor, educationist, scientist and current Rector of International Islamic University of Malaysia.  He is the recipient of the “Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon”, an award conferred by the Japanese government in September 2019 and was also recognized as “Fellow of the World Academy of Arts & Science” by the World Academy of Art & Science starting from 2018. A vast majority of active researchers and academicians on different campuses of IIUM are working in cohesion to form an improved sustainable society, by implementing the United Nations charter of Sustainable Development Goals which are very much aligned with the maqasid Al-shariah under the principles of Islam. The University continues to churn out more and more dedicated and inventive researchers who produce research innovations as a contribution to humanity.

Figure 3: Some pioneering projects for 2020

Contemporary areas of research:

• The prevalence of childhood obesity has been increasing alongside rapid global economic development including Malaysia. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of mothers regarding childhood obesity and to determine the factors associated with the KAP as well as to map the correlation between KAP.
• Fabrication of next-generation personalized oral medications for the treatment of paediatric tuberculosis with innovative 3-D printing technology.
• Kategori buku sains social terbaik (The law on domestic violence in Malaysia.
• Formulation and teasing of Syariah compliant generic products (Amlodipine, Mefenamic Acid, Cetirizine, Gliclazide, Anti-fungal cream, Paracetamol suspension)
• Computerized sound-cognitive therapy could be a new potential treatment for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Napier silage, which won an International Invention & Invention Awards 2019 Gold Medal at Malaysia Technology Expo 2019 and won a silver medal at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition, Malaysia (ITEX).
• 1H NMR Measurement of Coleus Ambonicus & 2D NMR (Jres, Cosy, Hmbc) of Orthosiphon Stamineus abd Japanese Rice Brans & Alfa-amylase inhibitor from Orthosiphonstamineus & Metabolomics Profile of Indonesian and Japanese Rice Brans and GC-MS Analysis of Kecombrong.
• Automated Diabetic Retinopathy Detection using Deep Neural Network
• Survey on retailer incentives for cigarette advertising, promotions and marketing at point-of-sale in Malaysia
• Conservation of Malaysian horseshoe crabs for sustainable fishery practice. Captive Breeding and Induced Fertilization of Malaysian Horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas) for Sea Ranching and Future Artificial Sanctuary
• WiSeMantiQ® search engine is built in consideration of authenticated Islamic content in comparison to other popular and semantic-based search engines. Information dissemination must be guided by an Islamic worldview. Authenticated Islamic contents are critical in teaching-and-learning, research, and daily life.
• In Vivo Performance of Injectable Self-hardened Synthetic Bone Cement (Osteopaste) as A Filler for Bone Defects
• Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) Extract Reduces the Growth of Salivary Isolated Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus
• Estimating population parameters of depleting Nemipterus furcosus stock using modelling tools to develop management guidelines for their sustainable production in the Peninsular Malaysia
• DNA Barcoding and Molecular Phylogenetics of Sharks in Malaysia
• Biodegradable food packaging container featuring the skin of the durian fruit that can also be used as 3D printing filament. The new development is in line with the “New Plastics Economy” where this alternative sustainable material supports the circular economy, eliminates waste, maximises value and uses plastic efficiently.
• Environmental Determinants Influencing Fish Community Structure and Seasonal Diversity in tropical estuary in the region of Kuala Pahang, Malaysia
• A biodegradable sanitary pad made from sago starch could add to efforts aimed at protecting the environment from plastic waste.

Along with these active research projects the IIUM research community from Kulliyah of Dentistry and Kulliyah of Pharmacy have contributed some innovations to their names. Asst. Prof. Dr. Zurainie Abllah’s invention titled “A Mouthwash Composition” and “A Dental Varnish Composition”; Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohd Hafiz Arzmi’s invention titled “A Flow Cell Culture Apparatus” and “OroSYN (Oral Synbiotic Mouthwash)” & Asst. Prof. Dr. Yunita Dewi Ardini’s invention titled “Fusion Emulsion for Periodontitis”. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad Haniki Bin Nik Mohamed’s Survey on retailer incentives for cigarette advertising, promotions and marketing at point-of-sale in Malaysia and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alfi Khatib’s projects 1H NMR Measurement of Coleus Ambonicus & 2D NMR (Jres, Cosy, Hmbc) of Orthosiphon Stamineus abd Japanese Rice Brans & Alfa-amylase inhibitor from Orthosiphonstamineus & Metabolomics Profile of Indonesian and Japanese Rice Brans and GC-MS Analysis of Kecombrong, are recipients of international grants under the Kulliyah of Pharmacy. In figure 3 few pioneering projects of IIUM in the year 2020 are listed.

The study of Islamic jurisprudence, contemporary islamization acceptance and differences and Islamic legal theory is under Maqasid of Islamic Revealed Knowledge. The wide range of courses offered by the Department not only involve mere textual reading and memorization of the juristic legacy but also an analysis of various views and arguments, an evaluation of proof-values underlining each juristic pronouncement, an appreciation of divergent positions, and most importantly contextualization of juristic discourses with the view of providing solutions to juristic needs of Muslims and global world. Usul al-Din & Comparative religion working on the establishment of relevance of Islamic Heritage. These skills equip the students with juridical acumen to serve effectively as competent graduates of Islamic jurisprudence and enable them to be life-long learners and thoughtful citizens of increasingly globalized world.

Academic Journal publications:

IIUM Journal Publication is the publishing arm of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). There is a total of 29 academic journals which are being published currently.  IIUM promotes research and education by efficiently coordinating the publication of research projects; maintaining strategic alliances with distributors and other publishers; and regularly participating in book exhibitions and sales. To this date, IIUM Journal Publication has published more than 461 issues of various journals. Some of the journals are listed as follows:

• Intellectual Discourse is an academic, SCOPUS indexed refereed journal, published twice a year by the Research Centre, IIUM, for the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia. It stands for rigorous intellectual analysis and for insights rooted in the Qur’an and the Sunnah while addressing contemporary issues. It aims at promoting new researches including those that focus on the contributions made by Muslim scholars of the past. The journal will try to raise the analytical level of discourse in the Muslim scientific community, and will work for a consensus on issues which the Muslim ummah is concerned. Four types of contributions are considered for publication in this journal: major articles reporting findings of original research; review articles synthesizing important deliberations related to disciplines within the domain of Islamic sciences; short research notes or communications, containing original ideas or discussions on vital issues of contemporary concern and book reviews; and brief reader comments, or statements of divergent viewpoints.
• IIUM Engineering Journal (Q3 – Scopus & emerging source of citation, Web of Science) publishes original research findings as regular papers, review papers (by invitation). The Journal provides a platform for Engineers, Researchers, Academicians, and Practitioners who are highly motivated in contributing to the Engineering disciplines, and Applied Sciences. It also welcomes contributions that address solutions to the specific challenges of the developing world, and address science and technology issues from an Islamic and multidisciplinary perspective.

Al-Shajarah (Q2 – SCOPUS indexed) is a refereed international journal that publishes original scholarly articles in the area of Islamic thought, Islamic civilization, Islamic science, and Malay world issues. The journal is especially interested in studies that elaborate scientific and epistemological problems encountered by Muslims in the present age, scholarly works that provide fresh and insightful Islamic responses to the intellectual and cultural challenges of the modern world.

Asiatic (Q2 – SCOPUS indexed) It is the very first international journal on Asian English writings by Asian and Asian diasporic writers, currently being the only one of its kind. It aims to publish high-quality research articles and outstanding creative works combining the broad fields of literature and linguistics within its focus area.

Journal of Linguistic and Literary Studies (IIUM Arabic Journal) This journal is a peer-reviewed Arabic journal indexed by EBSCO, MyCite and Arabic impact factor, published by the Department of Arabic Language and Literature. It is a biannual journal that deals with the linguistic and literary studies of the Arabic language.

Engineering & Technological Advancement:

The Centre of Unmanned Technologies (CUTe) is designed to advance the scientific study and development through human-robot collaboration. The main function of this centre is to bridge the gap between researchers, industries and communities by developing technologies that nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers towards humanizing innovations.

Figure 4: Achievements of Centre of Unmanned Technologies (CUTe)

Through the integration of education and research, CUTe is unique amongst other centres in that it involves the partnership between researchers, industries and communities; figure 4 showcases the achievements of CUTe labs; the innovations from the researches provides actual solutions to the society; and it exists to exploit multi- and inter- disciplinary knowledge to produce high quality human capital.

 Area of specialization under CUTe:

• Embedded AI Lab
• Maritime Robotics Lab
• Aerial Robotics Lab
• MR-C3 Lab
• RoMoCap Lab
• BioSignal Lab
• MediBOT (*for COVID19 patients medicine delivery in their wards to avoid human contraction to the disease)

MediBot will be designed for medical compliances with the approval of MDA and FDA to ensure safety and effectiveness for medical use. The development and evaluation of MediBot is currently conducted at the IIUM’s laboratories, clinics and hospital. The prototypes of MediBot has already been showcased in local and international news and media. 

An important goal to be achieved is the adaptation of results of research and development work to practical applications and the transfer of technology for improving the innovativeness of the economy and the citizens’ living standards. Academic, interdisciplinary expertise and discipline-based research are key to developing innovative programs that keep the university in the forefront as a research and scholarly institution. With the remarkable track record of industry-collaborations and funding actively engaged with communities, this research orientation will help the academia to be more visible on the global landscape and viable towards IIUM vision and mission.