NEGERI SEMBILAN, 13th June 2012: The expert input of UTM academics in Islamic studies,under the UTM CSR initiative, was sought after when the Vice Chancellor of UTM, Prof. Datuk Dr. Zaini Ujang, was invited by DYMM Yang di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir to set up a University based on Islamic Studies in Negeri Sembilan. The aim is to adopt the curriculum of Al-Azhar University in Malaysia.

This is in view of developing academic and research partnership with Al-Azhar University,Cairo, Egypt through educational platforms of research, academic and teaching, which will deliver Al-Azhar’s prestigious programmes in Malaysia.

The UTM team, consisting of four academic staff and six top management officers held discussions to work on the proposal of setting up the proposed university in Malaysia, specifically in Negeri Sembilan.

UTM played a consultative role of setting alternative educational models to bring Al-Azhar to Malaysia. Discussions culminated in alternative educational models proposed, ranging from the following: 1. Having twinning programmes between As-Sofa and Al-Azhar; 2. A new Al-AzharMalaysia branch, and 3. A University College Azhar Malaysia. These programmes will deliverthe syllabus of Al-Azhar.

Professor Azlan Abdul Rahman, Director of UTM Corporate Affairs highlighted that Malaysia will gain great competitive advantages delivering Al-Azhar programmes within the region with agreat potential to capture the South East Asia regional markets.

The UTM experts comprise, among others, Prof. Dr. Azlan Abd Rahman, Director of Corporate Affairs, Prof. Selamat Hashim, Director of UTM CFirst, Associate Prof. Azmi Shah Suratman, Dean of Faculty of Islamic Civilisation, Tuan Haji Wan Mohd Zawawi Wan Abd Rahman, UTM Registrar, and Tuan Haji Muhammad bin Abdullah, UTM Manager for Income Generating.