| Wani Roslan |
IT was a day to remember for 219 graduates of Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) yesterday as they received their certificates from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Chancellor of UNISSA, at the 6th UNISSA Convocation held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
Accompanying the monarch was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Pro-Chancellor of UNISSA.
This year saw two PhD graduates, 28 Master’s graduates, nine Diploma in Islamic and Syariah Law graduates, 12 Post-Graduate Diplomas graduates, 94 Bachelor’s Degree graduates, 36 Special Degree of Bachelor of Hafaz Al-Quran 30 Juzuks awardees, five Higher National Diploma graduates and 33 Barnamij At-Tarqiyah Certificate and Syariah Crime Justice System Certificate graduates receiving their certificates.
The day began with the reading of verses from the Al-Quran and the reading of Al-Hadith Al-Nabawi.
In his welcoming remarks, Rector of UNISSA Dr Haji Norarfan bin Haji Zainal highlighted that the Faculty of Syariah and Law this year produced 10 first graduates who pursued a Double Degree programme in Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Syariah Law for five years, while 26 others completed their studies in the Syariah Crime Justice System Certificate programme, which has received good response from legal practitioners in the country.
“Both programmes serve as a learning platform and catalyst to strengthen the country’s efforts in the implementation of the Syariah Penal Code Order 2013,” he said.
Graduates having their pictures taken with His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Pro-Chancellor of UNISSA.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Chancellor of UNISSA presenting certificates to graduates from the Prisons Department (pic left) and the Royal Brunei Police Force (pic centre and pic right).
Photos left to right show the monarch presenting certificates to graduates from the Royal Brunei Police Force.
Photos above and below show graduates receiving their certificates from the monarch at the 6th UNISSA Convocation.
ABOVE & BELOW: Graduates receiving their certificates from His Majesty. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
He noted that the Special Degree (Ijazah Khas) had been awarded to 36 graduates. It is the collaboration between the university and Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, and is of similar value to a Bachelor’s Degree with honours.
The rector said that UNISSA is ready to explore the diversity of disciplines and skills in line with the demands of rapid national progress and development of the global world. “To build a strategic platform to produce highly skilled experts and Muslim scholars with knowledge, UNISSA has moved forward and implemented several new initiatives – such as the rebranding of its faculty and by offering academic programmes that are dynamic and progressive,” he explained.
The Faculty of Business and Science Management is now known as Faculty of Economics and Islamic Finance. The rebranding helps in developing current programmes such as the PhD programme in Islamic finance, introduced this year in accordance with the needs of Islamic finance that has major prospects for development.
A new faculty has also been introduced.
The Faculty of Islamic Development Management, which begins operation this coming semester, was established in an bid to upgrade the Islamic Civilisation programme which previously came under the Faculty of Arabic Language and Islamic Civilisation.
“Realising the importance of preserving the sanctity of Al-Quran and creating knowledgeable human capital as well as the continuation of studies for students in the field of Tahfiz and Qiraat to a higher level, UNISSA will also offer the Bachelor of Tahfiz and Qiraat programme at the forthcoming session,” he added.
In developing academic cooperation with international higher education institutions, UNISSA strives in playing its role at the regional and international levels. It has inked Memorandum of Understanding with 14 prestigious universities for strategic cooperation relations, and also become a member of the Asean University Network – Quality Assurance.
UNISSA also encourages students to actively participate in community services and volunteer projects such as Ramadhan Food Drive, Awakening the Ummah, and Ziarah Mahabbah programme.
His Majesty then delivered a titah, before handing over certificates to the graduates. The day also saw the announcement of recipients of the University Book Awards and Prizes.
The event concluded with the recitation of Doa Selamat by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, and a group photo opportunity with the monarch.
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