A major breakthrough was achieved over the last few days at Ditchley Roundtable Conference jointly organised by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. The three-day conference, on the theme “Science in Muslim Societies: Past and Present”, was held in Ditchley Park, Oxford, from 11th to 13th May 2012. The fully packed three-day conference saw leading world experts, scientists and intellectuals together with selected professors from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) deliberating on the historical, philosophical and ethical aspects of science in Islam including discussions on the state of science in contemporary Muslim societies.
This is a landmark conference which saw the full participation of HRH Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah, the Chancellor of UTM, from beginning to end including the presence of select members of the Malaysian scientific community such as Tan Sri Dr Tajudin Ali (President, Academy Science of Malaysia), Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor (UTM Pro-Chancellor and former Director General of Forest Research Institute, Prof Dr. Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud (Director of CASIS, UTM), and Dato Prof Dr Zakry (Science Adviser to the Malaysian Prime Minister).
Apart from the Malaysian scientific community, the conference saw the meeting of minds among distinguished figures and renowned scientists from across the globe such as Sir Terence English (the first surgeon who performed heart transplant), Judith English (prominent physician), Dr. Farhan Nizami (Director of OCIS), Sir Crispin Tickell (James Martin 21st Century School, Oxford University), David Clary (Principal of Oxford University Magdalen College and Science Advisor to the British Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth), Prof. Roger Davis (Oxford University, President of the Royal Astronomical Society), Prof. George Saliba (Columbia University), Prof. Nomanul Haq, Afifi al-Akiti (Oxford University), Prof. Salim al-Hasani (Chairman of the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilization), Dr. Mahmood Abdulraheem (Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences), Dr Asim Padela (University of Chicago), Prof. Peter Pormann (University of Manchester), Dr. Sajjad Rizvi (Exeter University), and Dr. Michael Murray of the Templeton Foundation.
Among the UTM team who took part in the plenary and discussion sessions were Prof. Azraai Kassim, Prof Rose Alinda Alias, Prof Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud, Prof Azlan Abdul Rahman, Prof Jasmi and Prof Muhammad Zainiy Uthman.
In her concluding remarks, HRH Raja Zarith Sofia highlighted some efforts to inspire science among young children and the importance of instilling in them the interest and passion for science which will instigate the sense of awe on the wonders of science. HRH Raja Zarith also suggested how the state of science in Muslim societies can be shared through the Internet as a technological platform that could be harnessed to create access to greater educational content.
In view of that, a website about Islam, Science and Civilization could be developed and maintained, equipped with responses to questions on the topic posed by any child from around the world that has access to the internet.
The conference concluded with several agreed initiatives to be carried out by UTM. The Vice Chancellor, Dato Zaini Ujang reiterated the commitment of UTM to champion the development of science, technology and innovation in a dynamic and vibrant way with Muslim and non–Muslim students working in synergy.
This is in line with the call for the Global Movement of Moderates by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, which encourages Muslims to live in harmony with non-Muslims for a worthy cause and in the name of progress. The main thrust is to present Muslims as champions in science and technological development. It was also highlighted that UTM is a good example of an institution that embraces the synergy between Muslims and non-Muslims, with 60% Muslim students in UTM working closely with the rest who are non-Muslims.
UTM is also going to host the next exhibition of “1001 Muslim Inventions”, a new venture between the Foundation of Science, Technology and Civilization and the National Geographic in Kuala Lumpur, co-organised by various sponsors to be led by UTM.
The exhibition will be preceded with a Conference on Science and Technology in the Muslim World: From Past Achievement to Future Revitalization in Malaysia sometime in the later part of next year.
It is also worth noting that some of the scholars from Holland, America, and England who attended the Ditchley conference have agreed to spend their sabbatical at CASIS to continue their discussion and complete their research works.
A summer program on Islamic Civilization is also being planned between CASIS and OCIS, and a program on biodiversity initiative will see a collaboration to be initiated between Sir Crispin Tickell and Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Nor.
Date : 11-13 May 2012
Venue : Oxfordshire, UK