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Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University

Coordinates: 4°54′20.5″N 114°54′47.8″E / 4.905694°N 114.913278°E / 4.905694; 114.913278
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Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University
Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (Malay)
جامعة السّلطان الشّريف عليّ الإسلاميّة (Jawi)
Logo of UNISSA
Motto
Oleh itu hendaklah kamu bertaqwa kepada Allah. Dan Allah mengajar kamu (Malay)
Motto in English
Observe your duty to Allah, and it is Allah that teaches you
TypePublic research university
Established1 January 2007 (2007-01-01)
FounderSultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Accreditation
Religious affiliation
Sunni Islam
Academic affiliation
ChairmanRomaizah Mohd Salleh
ChancellorSultan Hassanal Bolkiah
RectorNorarfan Zainal
Pro-ChancellorCrown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah
Total staff
113 (2024)
Students832 (2024)
Address
Simpang 347, Jalan Pasar Gadong
,
Bandar Seri Begawan
,
BE1310
,
Brunei Darussalam

4°54′20.5″N 114°54′47.8″E / 4.905694°N 114.913278°E / 4.905694; 114.913278
CampusMetropolitan and regional with multiple sites
ColorsGreen White
Websitewww.unissa.edu.bn

The Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA or Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University) is a public research university situated in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, founded in 2007. In order to promote the country's attempts to become a Zikir nation, UNISSA, the country's first Islamic university and second national institution, aspires to create Muslim scholars and intellectuals who contribute to the nation's and ummah's growth.[1]

UNISSA aims to ensure that its programs and courses satisfy international standards and are relevant to the requirements of the present in an attempt to raise the caliber of its academic offerings.[1] The university's purpose is to establish Ummah in a sustainable education environment founded on Maqasid Shariah by offering high-quality Islamic higher education and research with a significant effect.[2]

Etymology

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The Islamic prophet Muhammad's descendant Barkat Ali ibnu Sharif Ajlan ibnu Sharif Rumaithah, often known as Sharif Ali, was named the third Sultan of Brunei after marrying the daughter of his predecessor, Sultan Ahmad. He was the first sultan to construct a mosque in Brunei, but in 1945–1946, Allied bombardment destroyed it during World War II.[3]

History

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During the 16th convocation of the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD) in 2004 and the 17th convocation of the same university in 2005, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah first discussed the idea of opening a second university in Brunei. In his titah (speech), the Sultan stated that the second university would be an Islamic university. The new university's overarching goal is to establish itself as a hub for the expansion of Islam in the area.[3]

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) was founded on 1 January 2007. In August of 2007, UNISSA welcomed its inaugural class of students. 27 doctoral students and 125 undergraduate students were accepted. When UNISSA first opened, it took in faculty, staff, and students from the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), which had previously been a faculty of UBD. Since UNISSA lacked a permanent location at the time, SOASCIS served as their centre of operation.[3]

In order to provide more space for facilities and growth, the institution relocated to a new campus in Gadong in February 2009, where it was formerly the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah College of Nursing.[3] Three UBD Library employees received assignments to work on the UNISSA Library on 1 August 2009.[4]

Organisation and administration

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Qualified candidates must meet the general and program-specific entrance requirements in order to be taken into consideration. Meeting these prerequisites, however, does not ensure admission because admission is competitive and space-limited. Incomplete or forged applications may be rejected by UNISSA, which only takes into account credentials from accredited universities. Only certain Brunei and GCE 'A' Level credentials, with a maximum of than three proceedings in the previous three years, are acceptable for first-degree programs. General Paper, English (as a second language), and other GCE credentials are not recognised; however, other qualifications, such as an HNDs, can be taken into consideration if they fulfil program criteria. If mature students satisfy certain standards, they could be admitted; further conditions, such medical tests and interviews, might also be necessary.[5]

At UNISSA, points for GCE 'A' Level grades are distributed according to the UCAS system; Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Levels are not taken into account. In order to be considered for English-medium programs, candidates must have at least a GCE 'O' Level Credit 6 in English language, an IGCSE English as a second language grade of "C," an IELTS score of 6.0, or a TOEFL score of 550. Candidates also need to pass the al-Quran al-karim recitation examination, if relevant, and the Primary School Religious Certificate exam, or its equivalent.[5]

Governance

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The Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali Act stated that any other organisations specified by legislation, the Council, Senate, Board of Studies, Board of an Institution, Boards of Selection, and Board of Student Welfare are among the authorities of UNISSA. According to the university's Constitution, these authorities' methods, composition, and functions are specified by legislation. As the university's executive body, the Council carries out all the powers bestowed upon it by the university's charter, laws, and regulations, with the exception of those expressly delegated to other bodies, officials, or authorities.[6]

The following are the executive officers at UNISSA:[7]

  • Rector
  • Acting Deputy Rector(Policy and Corporate)
  • Assistant Rector (Research & International)
  • Assistant Rector (Academic)
  • Assistant Rector (Student Affairs & Alumni)
  • Registrar

Faculties

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UNISSA is made up of seven faculties and eight centres. The faculties include the Faculty of Usuluddin, Faculty of Shariah and Law, Faculty of Arabic Language, Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance, Faculty of Islamic Development Management, Faculty of Agriculture, and Faculty of Islamic Technology. The centres of excellence are the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre, Mazhab Shafi‘i Research Centre, Centre for Leadership and Lifelong Learning, Centre for Graduate Studies, and Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Languages. Additionally, the management centres consist of the Centre for Research and Publication, Centre for Public and International Relations, and Centre for Technology and Multimedia.[8]

The Faculty of Usuluddin offer Bachelor of Tahfiz and Qira’at, Bachelor of Usuluddin, Master of Usuluddin (by Coursework and Dissertation), Master of Usuluddin (by Coursework), and Master of Usuluddin (By Research). The Faculty of Shariah and Law offers the Bachelor of Shariah (Fiqh and Usul) and several Master's programs, including those in Shariah and various fields of law, with options for coursework, dissertation, and research. The Faculty of Arabic Language features undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Arabic Language and Translation, with both coursework and research options available. The Faculty of Islamic Development Management includes Bachelor's programs in Islamic History and Civilisation and Development Management, along with Master's degrees by research.[9][10]

The Faculty of Islamic Development Management offer Bachelor of Islamic History and Civilisation, Bachelor of Development Management, Master of Islamic History and Civilisation (by Research), and Master of Development Management (by Research). The Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance provides research-based Master's programs in addition to Bachelor's degrees in Islamic Economics, Business Management, and Islamic Finance. Undergraduate and graduate degrees in Halal Science are offered by the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre, with an emphasis on Halal Laws and Halal Management. A master's degree in Mazhab Shafi'i by research is available from the Mazhab Shafi'i Research Centre. The Faculty of Islamic Technology also offers Master's degrees through coursework and research, in addition to a Bachelor's degree in Islamic Media and Communication Technology.[9][10]

Programmes

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Students pursuing a bachelor's degree who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.55 or above during their first two years of study are eligible to study abroad for one year, or two semesters, at any of UNISSA's partner institutions in the Middle East, the United Kingdom, or Malaysia. The goal of this program is to provide students with an amazing opportunity to study abroad in other countries with various educational systems, lifestyles, and cultures. In addition, it strives to uphold the moral principles of a Muslim while fostering in the pupils the qualities of global citizenship.[8]

The Minor Programme at UNISSA aims to offer students extensive learning opportunities and produce skilled, versatile graduates through interdisciplinary studies. These programmes are designed to enhance graduates' marketability. The available minors include Contemporary Da‘wah, Shariah Law, Translation, Islamic Economics, Information and Communication Technology, and Halal Science.[8]

Academic profile

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Rankings

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The Institute for Policy and Strategy on National Competitiveness (IPSNC) released the World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI) ranking in 2022, and UNISSA made its debut there. It placed among the top 200–300 overall in the ranking system, while its Faculty of Islamic Economics and Finance (FEKIm) entrepreneurship project course placed among the top 51–100 in the area of entrepreneurial spirit.[11] For the past two years (2022 and 2023),[12][13] UNISSA has been rated in the top 201-300 position in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).[14] The university is ranked 221st in the 2024 edition.[15]

For 2023–2026, UNISSA was awarded a five-star grade by the QS assessment agency. This acclaim extends to facilities, academic advancement, employability, internationalisation, and teaching. Additional notable accolades for 2023 is the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM) Award.[16]

International partnerships

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UNISSA has international membership in the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Islamic Universities League (IUL), Asian Islamic Universities Association (AIUA), ASEAN University Network (AUN), Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN), International Association of Universities (AIU), Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Association of the Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) Afro-Asian University Forum (AAUF) and United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI).[8]

UNISSA has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) and agreements with several foreign universities such as Universitas Negeri Malang,[17] Bilad Al-Syam University,[18] Islamic University of Maldives,[19] Princess of Naradhiwas University,[20] Kunta-Haji Russian Islamic University,[21] and many other universities and institutions.[22] In an effort to foster cooperation and innovation for the university's academic endeavours in the area of information and communication technology (ICT), UNISSA and Huawei Technologies signed a MoU in March 2023.[23]

Student life

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Around 1,045 students from UNISSA started both hybrid and in-person classes in January 2022 at its campuses in Sinaut, Tutong District, and Gadong, Brunei–Muara District. UNISSA also carried on with its online instruction and learning sessions based on how well the courses fit the available modules.[8]

International students

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On 27 August 2022, UNISSA celebrated its foreign students with an international day. Students from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt, China, Japan, Pakistan, Palestine, Nepal, Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and the Gambia displayed their cultures during the event, which had as its subject "International Identity and Spirit." The pupils displayed customary attire, pastimes, and cuisine from their own nations. The cultural exchange included skit shows, film screenings, and a platform for overseas students to share.[24]

Residential colleges

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The general management of on-campus housing is overseen by the UNISSA Residential College Unit, which is headed by two Residential College Managers. Maintaining a pleasant living environment, organizing resident activities, assuring resident welfare, and promoting a polite and peaceful community are some of its goals. Coordination of student registration and placement, facility maintenance management in conjunction with the Estate Office, resident safety and welfare monitoring, advisory work for the Residential College Executive Committee (ExCo) under the UNISSA Student Association, and resident event planning are among the main duties.[25]

Chancellor's Trophy

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Since its founding in 2021, the Chancellor's Trophy aims to encourage the expansion of sports, rivalries, and friendships among Brunei's public and private higher education institutions. The Chancellor's Trophy also highlights the leaders of the separate student councils and the university working together.[26] The winner of the Chancellor's Trophy 2022 was UBD, with UNISSA coming in second and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) in third.[27]

Campus

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Gadong Campus

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UNISSA Gadong Campus

UNISSA is based in 2022, with a temporary campus that has all the amenities a university needs. Surau Al-Shafi'i, a gymnasium, and a library with over 120,000 books are all located on campus. There are also computer labs, student residential colleges, and a football field. Jubilee Hall, an auditorium hall, a moot court, and a Senate conference room are all located on the site.[8]

By developing strategic partnerships with regional, national, and worldwide organisations and societies, the UNISSA Centre for Public and International Relations aims to improve the university's standing and reputation. Promoting UNISSA's favourable reputation both domestically and abroad, maintaining connections with local stakeholders, media outlets, and international organizations, and supporting the legal processes associated with MoUs and MOAs are some of its goals.[28]

The training program and course provider is the Centre for Leadership and Lifelong Learning (C4L), which is situated at Block L (LG.22) of the UNISSA Gadong Campus.[29] Founded in 2017, it provides a platform based on the teachings of the al-Qur'an and al-Sunnah that helps clients become more productive, motivated, and knowledgeable. Offering Islamic human development programs, encouraging a culture of continuous learning to create a knowledge-based society, offering continuing educational opportunities for both professional and personal growth, and creating comprehensive programs for the public and private sectors are all part of its goals, which also include supporting the Sultan's vision.[30]

Sinaut Campus

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Sinaut Agricultural Training Centre

UNISSA acquired a second campus, later known as UNISSA Sinaut Campus,[31] at the Sinaut Agricultural Training Centre on 15 June 2021. The Faculty of Agriculture was moved to this new location to accommodate the expanding number of students and to satisfy the growing need for faculty facilities. Originally, the faculty was to be housed at the new UNISSA campus in Temburong District. In order to improve the comfort and wellbeing of UNISSA students and employees, the new campus will include administrative buildings, lecture halls, dormitories, canteens, scientific labs, bungalows, apartments for student housing, and multipurpose halls.[32]

Founded on 29 April 2017, and officially opened on 7 July 2017, the Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre seeks to further Wawasan Brunei 2035 by elevating the country's standing as a "Global Halal Hub." To support the Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah, it focuses on professional services, education, and research. The centre's goals are to provide halalan thayyiban academic programs, carry out research, authenticate products, and develop professionals to deal with halal-related social challenges.[33]

Puasa-Piasau Campus

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In order to celebrate the start of building on its new campus in Kampong Piasau-Piasau, Temburong District, UNISSA organised a Doa Selamat ceremony on 13 July 2022. With this event, 50 hectares (120 acres) of primary rainforest were cleared, and its flora and species were relocated. Building the primary road network, street lighting, electrical stations, substations, telecommunications infrastructure, and landscaping are among the first building tasks. Thong & Thong started working on the project on 7 May 2022, and it is expected to be finished by 6 May 2024. The $100 million project, which is a component of the 11th National Development Plan (RKN 11), would span 310 hectares and cost $33,976,353.19. It will contain a sports complex, an auditorium, administrative and academic facilities, a residential college, a student center, a canteen, and a multipurpose hall.[34]

Notable people

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Rectors

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali". Top Universities. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  2. ^ "Vision & Mission". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  3. ^ a b c d "About Us". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  4. ^ "Library". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  5. ^ a b "General Entry Requirements". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  6. ^ "CHAPTER 212 UNIVERSITI ISLAM SULTAN SHARIF ALI" (PDF). Attorney General's Chambers. 2011. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  7. ^ "Executive Officers". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Prospectus 2022/2023" (PDF). UNISSA. 2022. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  9. ^ a b "Programme". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  10. ^ a b "UNIVERSITI ISLAM SULTAN SHARIF ALI" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2021. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  11. ^ "UNISSA ranking puts Brunei on the map". The Star. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  12. ^ Othman, Azlan (2022-08-12). "UNISSA puts Brunei on the map". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  13. ^ Mahmud, Rokiah (2023-08-08). "Local university listed in prestigious rankings". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  14. ^ "UNISSA KEKAL KEDUDUKAN DALAM WURI RANKING". UNISSA (in Malay). Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  15. ^ "WURI 2024: Global Top 300 Innovative Universities (201 - 250)" (PDF). WURI. 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  16. ^ "UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES". Borneo Bulletin Year Book 2024. 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  17. ^ "MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN UNISSA AND UNIVERSITAS NEGERI MALANG". UNISSA. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  18. ^ "UNISSA partners with Syrian university in academic field". Borneo Bulletin Online. 2017-01-23. Archived from the original on 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  19. ^ Afrah, Mohamed (2016-10-23). "IUM signs partnership agreement with UNISSA". PSMnews.mv. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  20. ^ "'Halal Science Interaction Programme' at UNISSA". borneo363.rssing.com. 2017-08-04. Archived from the original on 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  21. ^ "UNISSA delegation visited Makhachkala and Grozny". brunei.mid.ru. 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  22. ^ "MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  23. ^ Kon, James (2023-03-10). "UNISSA, Huawei Technologies sign ICT agreement". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  24. ^ Othman, Azlan (2022-11-01). "UNISSA celebrates its international students". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  25. ^ "Residential College Unit". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  26. ^ "CHANCELLOR'S TROPHY CLOSING CEREMONY 2022". Universiti Teknologi Brunei. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  27. ^ "UBD crowned Chancellor's Trophy 2022 champion". Borneo Bulletin Online. 2023-03-20. Archived from the original on 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  28. ^ "Centre of International and Public Relations". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  29. ^ "Location". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  30. ^ "Centre for Leadership and Lifelong Learning". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  31. ^ Mohamad, Lyna (2023-09-16). "Educators, officers gain agricultural insight during visit". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  32. ^ Ak Zaki Kasharan (2022-07-08). "Penyerahan kampus pertanian UNISSA di Sinaut". Media Permata Online (in Malay). Archived from the original on 2022-07-08. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  33. ^ "Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  34. ^ Noor, Adib (2022-07-14). "Construction begins for new UNISSA campus". Borneo Bulletin Online. Archived from the original on 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  35. ^ "Anak jati Brunei pelajari selok belok MIB". Pelita Brunei (in Malay). Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  36. ^ Hosni, Amin (2009-11-10). "His Majesty visits UNISSA". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  37. ^ Othman, Azlan (2012-11-01). "Crown Prince officiates UNISSA Convocation Festival". www.sultanate.com. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  38. ^ "Rector". UNISSA. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
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