Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad conceived of the idea for an international institution of Islamic education in 1982 during a meeting between OIC leaders about the Islamization of knowledge. The idea was shared with the then Minister of Education, Dr. Sulaiman Daud; the then Director-General of Education, Murad Mohamed Nor; and two others. Dr. Mohamed Kamal Hassan, then of the National University of Malaysia along with a senior academic official who attended the meeting, produced the first working paper on the concept of the university.
IIUM was once a private university. As the University's language of instruction was not to be Malay but instead English and Arabic, which was initially prohibited by Malaysian law, IIUM was initially incorporated under the currently-repealed Companies Act 1965. However, IIUM was officially made a public university on 23 May 1983, in accordance with Section 5A (2) of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, when the University received its Establishment Order from the then King, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, after an exchange of Diplomatic Notes of Co-sponsorship between the Government of Malaysia, seven other governments and OIC.
A batch of 153 students from Malaysia and abroad were enrolled for the first academic session, which started on 8 July 1983. Courses were conducted under the Faculty of Economics, the Faculty of Laws, the Centre for Fundamental Knowledge and the Centre for Languages. The members of this first batch received their degrees and diplomas during the First Convocation held on 10 October 1987. 68 graduates were conferred the degree of Bachelor of Economics, 56 other graduated received the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and 29 Qadhis were conferred Diploma in Law and Administration of...
Read moreThe peaceful Islamic ambience is remarkable. Facility wise, campus is generally not the best but it's well-equipped (hopefully they will upgrade from time to time). All kulliyyahs are in the center surrounded by mahallahs (residence). Every student will reside in mahallah provided by the campus unless they request to live out, so no worries about rent or whatever. There are two sport complex with one exclusive to female. Literally never been to any IIUM office (except mahallah office) to deal with any issue.
Acceptable workloads. Sometimes lecturers even replace written assignment with community engagement project. In my programme, lecturers love to give advices and wisdoms rather than just teaching. You self-arrange your class schedule (courses, time, lecturers). Variety of food: malay, western, korean, chinese, arab, turkish, indian etc. Plenty of cafes and seating areas to hang out. Transportation is not an issue as there are shuttle buses every 10-15 minutes interval, and also direct bus from IIUM to Gombak train station where everywhere is accessible.
One thing to regret as an alumni is to not join enough events and societies (to score 4.00 on co-curriculum is effortless). It's overloaded with events to make you feel content. Talks, daurah talaqqi, campus festivals, theatres, sports, volunteerism. Making foreign friends is the best thing here, man. Great chance to create networking. So force yourself to socialize once in awhile even if you don't want to and don't forget to make use of all your...
Read moreInternational Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is a truly unique institution that blends academic excellence with Islamic values in a breathtakingly beautiful environment. The campus in Gombak is stunning, surrounded by lush greenery and featuring incredible Islamic architecture that makes studying here a peaceful and inspiring experience. The Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque, located at the heart of the university, adds to the serene atmosphere, making it an ideal place for students who value both education and spirituality.
One of the best aspects of IIUM is its diverse community. Students from all over the world come here to study, creating a rich multicultural environment where different cultures and perspectives are shared. This makes university life vibrant and engaging, with numerous international events, student activities, and discussions that go beyond the classroom. Academically, IIUM is strong, offering a wide range of programs, especially in Islamic studies, law, engineering, and social sciences. The lecturers are highly knowledgeable, and the curriculum is designed to integrate both Islamic knowledge and modern education.
However, The location, while beautiful, is a bit far from the city, and public transportation options are limited.
Overall, IIUM is a great choice for those looking for a high-quality education in a spiritually enriching environment. The university offers a truly unique experience that many students...
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