Answer to Written Question PT092

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI SALLEH BOSTAMAN BIN HAJI ZAINAL ABIDIN asks the Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama to state what are the Ministry’s plans to integrate the traditional curriculum with Syariah-based professional skills to ensure that UNISSA and KUPUSB graduates are competitive in the halal economy, Islamic finance and digital governance in line with Wawasan 2035?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Ugama

KUPUSB is actively implementing several initiatives to achieve this goal:

1. Continuous review and development of an integrated curriculum:

   a) KUPUSB has now begun developing an integrated curriculum to ensure strong integration between traditional Islamic knowledge and professional skills relevant to current market needs based on Syariah. Although the field of teaching is KUPUSB’s core or niche area, students are also equipped with knowledge focusing on the principles and applications of the halal economy, applications of the Islamic financial system through the Fiqh Muamalat course.

   b) KUPUSB has also offered dual-discipline programmes or minor specialisations, namely Contemporary Islamic Finance, which combines religious studies with professional fields, such as Islamic Capital Market and Sukuk, Takaful, Contemporary Zakat Issues, Waqaf and Digital Islamic Finance. Also, the minor specialisation in Islamic Education Innovation and Technology combines courses in Technology in Islamic Education, Software Applications, Creative Multimedia and others.

   c) The courses offered will be reviewed every 5 years as practised by higher education institutions to ensure that the curriculum taught remains relevant in line with Wawasan 2035.

2. Enhancement of academic staff competency:

   To ensure the new curriculum can be delivered effectively, KUPU SB will strive to obtain lecturers who have expertise and experience in both Islamic and professional fields, particularly in the segments of the halal economy, Islamic finance, and digital technology.

3. Strategic collaboration with industry and relevant agencies:

   a) KUPU SB will continue to strengthen collaborative ties with key stakeholders such as local Islamic Financial Institutions for industrial training programmes, job placement opportunities, and joint research projects.
   b) Collaborating with government or private agencies involved in digital governance to gain exposure and practical experience in technology applications in line with Syariah principles.
   c) Developing industry-oriented Lifelong Learning Programmes (PSH) such as offering short-term programmes recognised by industry that can provide added value to graduates’ certificates or degrees. Among the PSH programmes that have been offered by KUPU SB is the Professional Certificate for Hajj and Umrah Guides (SP-PHU).

4. Emphasis on soft skills that are important for graduate employability:

   a) Shifting to teaching and learning methods that focus on critical thinking and problem-solving. At present, KUPU SB has already begun shifting from the Teacher Oriented System method to the Outcome Based Education (OBE) method in line with 21st century teaching methods that encourage students to analyse complex issues in contemporary and Syariah contexts, while also training them to present Islamic and professional ideas clearly and convincingly.
   b) Ensuring graduates are skilled in using digital technology for research, analysis, and innovation in line with Islamic ethics through the offering of the Islamic Education Multimedia course and the Digital Literacy in Islamic Education course.
   c) Instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in the Islamic context that encourages graduates to create opportunities in the halal economy through the offering of the Islamic Entrepreneurship course alongside entrepreneurship co-curricular courses.

Through this integrated approach, KUPU SB aspires to produce graduates who are not only strong in religious knowledge, but also possess relevant and highly competitive professional skills, thereby contributing significantly to sustainable economic development guided by Islamic values in line with the aspirations of Wawasan Brunei 2035.