July 28 – The Faculty of Shariah and Law (FSU) at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) has embarked on a new initiative by exploring collaboration opportunities with institutions in the United Kingdom through a working visit to several institutions in the UK from July 21 to July 26, 2024.
The visit began with a Knowledge Transfer program held at the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC), where the USIM delegation conducted a Public Lecture and promoted USIM to the public at London Mosque, Regent’s Park, and Bond Street. They shared the fundamental principles of halal, haram, and doubtful foods with the London community while promoting USIM as a leading Public Higher Education Institution in Malaysia specializing in the integration of Naqli and Aqli knowledge (INAQ).
Additionally, Prof. Dr. Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh was invited to deliver a Public Lecture at the Malaysian Embassy in the UK, providing an opportunity to promote USIM’s academic programs and short professional courses that could benefit the Muslim community in the UK, both online and in-person.
A meeting with Education Malaysia London and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Hanafi bin Ahmad Damanhuri was significant as it provided insights from the EM office on how USIM can build its brand here through academic collaboration, while also raising awareness about women’s rights in Islam and halal consumption through the Public Lecture delivered,” he said during the interview.
SOAS also officially invited the Dean of the Faculty of Shariah and Law, Prof. Dr. Nik, and Research Consultant, Dr. Mustafa ‘Afifi Ab Halim, to deliver a public lecture through the Visiting Scholar program at SOAS, thus providing an opportunity for FSU USIM to collaborate in research, lecturer and student exchanges, and other academic activities that will be planned from time to time to ensure this collaboration continues.
“FSU has also appointed Professor Dr. Mashood Baderin from SOAS as an Adjunct Professor, and I believe that with his expertise, he will contribute ideas and enhance the quality of teaching and education in the field of law,” he added.
FSU USIM also made a courtesy visit to the Law School at the University of Keele and the Law School at the University of Hull to discuss collaboration and internationalization agendas for mutual benefit.
Through this visit, FSU and USIM will seize the best opportunities to explore collaborations with renowned universities in the UK. This will not only open avenues for innovative academic and research collaborations but also strengthen USIM’s position in the European higher education arena. This working visit follows an earlier visit by the USIM Vice-Chancellor to the ICC last year, which laid the groundwork for collaboration between USIM and ICC.