RAMADHAN GIFTS

Ramadhan has passed and I am thankful to Allah SWT for granting ISDEV in general, and me in particular, with happy gifts.

Three of my PhD students - Wan Norhaniza Wan Hassan, Shahir Akram Hassan, and Razali Othman - in last three consecutive weeks of Ramadhan - have passed their doctorate with flying colours (Scale 1 and nominated by their Board of Examiners for excellent thesis award). They maintained the similar success of their seven predecessors - all of whom also were granted with such a flying colour, totalling 10 altogther to date this year, Alhamdulillah.

Wan Norhaniza was working on Islamic-Based Development Index, while Shahir Akram on Mantiq for Islamic Research Methodology and Razali on The Use of Cash in Waqf.

TWO DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERE: ISDEV VS NON-ISDEV VIVAS

I involved in two vivas today. The first, in the morning, as an internal examiner of a PhD student outside ISDEV. The second, in the afternoon, as a main supervisor of a PhD student of ISDEV. In these two occasions, I experienced two different atmospheres.

In the morning, the student came alone with lonely face. Nobody accompanied him. The viva was held in a small room, enough for seven persons (the Board of Examiners) plus the student. The student passed, but with Scale 2, with a quite number of corrections and additions to be made.

In the afternoon, the student was accompanied by more than 30 people, consisting of not only ISDEV students, but also ISDEV lecturers. The viva was held in a big conference room to accommodate them, and the student passed with flying colours (Scale 1 and the thesis was agreed by the Board of Examiners to be nominated for Awards), with only minor correction.

I realised then that the atmosphere of the viva of an ISDEV student is different from the others. It is more merriful, more lively, more confident, and apparently more successful, Alhamdulillah. Prior to the viva, ISDEV members perform solat-ul hajat for the student, and if it is not in Ramadhan, they will hold thankful feast after the viva. That is one of the uniquenesses of ISDEV.

This year - up to the most recent viva this afternoon alone - ISDEV has produced eight PhD students, all passed with Scale 1 and nominated for Award. Two more are waiting for the viva which will be held at any time now, while at least another two are submitting their theses. All in all, this year ISDEV will InshaAllah produce 12 PhD students - an average of one per month - plus 36 Master Mixed Mode students, totalling 48 students alltogether, Alhamdulillah.

ISDEV WON BEST MASTER THESIS AWARD AGAIN

Nurul Izzah receiving the Award from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin on 26th June 2014

So thankful to Allah SWT that this year, ISDEV won the Yayasan Nurul Yaqeen Best Master Thesis Award again. ISDEV Master student Nurul Izzah Md Rodzi has made ISDEV proud this time around, Alhamdulillah.

Since the Award was introduced (previously named Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin Best Thesis Award), ISDEV students made it for almost every year. It started with Best PhD Thesis Award won by Dr Fadzila Azni Ahmad in 2010, followed by Best Master Thesis Award won by Radieah Mohd Nor in 2011, then again the Best PhD Thesis Award won by Dr Ahmad Azrin Adnan in 2012, and back to the Best Master Thesis Award won by Nurul Izzah Md Rodzi this year, 2014.

In 2013, although ISDEV student did not made it for an Award, but ISDEV PhD student Dr Mohd Shukri Hanapi has been chosen as one of the finalists. This year too, ISDEV PhD student Suraya Ismail has also became as one of the PhD finalists, Alhamdulillah.

Thank you to all ISDEV lecturers and supporting staff for working very hard in producing excellent and successful students. The results of ISDEV PhD students this year -all of whom have passed with flying colours (Scale 1 and nominated for Award by their respective Board of Examiners) - are self-explanatory and indeed a satisfaction to all ISDEV members, Alhamdulillah.

RAMADHAN AND UNIVERSITY EXCELLENCE

My recent activity in Ramadhan, speaking on 2nd July at Intellectual Discussion on Ramadhan and University Excellence, together with USM Vice-Chancellor Pof Dato' Omar Osman, USM Human Transformation Centre Dato' al-Ustaz Ellias Zakaria, and School of Humanities lecturer Associate Professor Dr Nor Shakirah Mat Akhir.

I spoke on the dynamics of Taqwa in accomplishing excellence based on ISDEV experience.

RAMADHAN KAREEM

Ramadhan is coming tomorrow. I take this opportunity to wish all a blessed Ramadhan. May Allah SWT bestow us with mercy, forgiveness and freedom, InshaAllah.

THE ISDEV JOURNEY

In conjunction with the upgrading of ISDEV to a Research Centre of Excellence since 17 April 2014, I was given an opportunity to speak at Vice-Chancellor-Staff Monthly Gathering on 12 June 2014 at University Conference Hall.

I deliberated on the journey ISDEV has gone through since the outset of the endeavour in 1981 - from tribulations, method, approach, and the accomplishments.

Also speaking at the occasion were the Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato' Omar Osman himself, Director of Research Creativity and Management Office (RCMO) Dr Lee Keat Teong, and Assistant Administrator (Accounting Management Section, Bursary) Encik Mohd Adnan Yahaya.

Present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students Affairs and Development) Prof Adnan Husein, Registrar Siti Zubaidah A. Hamid, Deans, Heads of Departments, and supporting staff of various departments.

7TH ISDEV OFFICIAL VISIT TO MEDAN, 4-9 MAY 2014

On 4th till 9th May, I was in Medan, Indonesia with USM Vice-Chancellor and 70 ISDEV members. The trip was the 7th annual ISDEV official visit to Medan.

In this trip, 7 missions have been accomplished. Firstly was the signing of the MoU with Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU); secondly, presenting a key paper at the 6th International Conference on Islamic Development (ICID 2014); thirdly, participating in the 7th International Islamic Development Workshop (WAPI 2014); fourthly, delivering a speech at UMSU's Public Lecture; fifthly, holding a meeting on Islamic Sustainable Development Research Project; sixthly, visiting Pesantren Raudhatul Hasanah; and seventhly, leading an academic expedition to Brestagi.

Pictures below show those activities.

Some of  ISDEV entourage with Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato' Omar Osman (middle) at the departure hall of the Penang International Airport

Daily congregrational maghrib and fajr prayers followed by tazkirah in Medan (Hotel Madani)

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato' Omar Osman delivering a Fajr Tazkirah

USM-UMSU signing of the MoU by USM Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato' Omar Osman (middle) and Rector of UMSU Dr Agussani (left), after seven years of ISDEV-UMSU cooperation. I signed as a witness.

Presenting a paper on "Transforming Halal Economic Lifestyle" at 6th International Conference on Islamic Development (ICID 2014), co-organised by ISDEV and UMSU

Delivering a talk on "Exemplary in Learning" at UMSU Public Lecture

Meeting with Dr Atih of Bandung Islamic University (right) and Dr Hakimi of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (left) - the research team on Islamic Sustainable Development led by Dr Atih. The research project is sponsored by Islamic Development Bank

Visiting Pesantren Raudhatul Hasanah - an amazing self-reliant private Islamic Religious School

At pick-your-own strawberry farm in Brestagi

Th winners of Dr Suhrawardi Award 2014 - the Best Paper Award at the 7th International Workshop on Islamic Development (WAPI 2014) - (left to right) Sayyiditina Aishah and Nur Afifah (Master category), the widow of Dr Suhrawardi Ibu Latipah, and Mohd Syahmir and Mohd Syakir (PhD category)

A memorable posting of ISDEV lecturers with Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato' Omar Osman during a dinner at Wong Solo Restaurant