Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) is enhancing its teaching and learning on Islamic Ethics by adding values to its existing compulsory Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB) module by producing pious, socially responsible and well-balanced graduates, loyal to the monarchy and the country.
This move was made in response to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hasssanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB)’s titah during an unscheduled visit to the university campus last January 29.
The monarch called on the university to determine its stance on ethics, where His Majesty urged for UTB to make Islamic Ethics as the ethics of choice in accordance with Brunei’s cultural identity.
As part of UTB’s mission to nurture socially responsible talents that are deeply rooted in MIB values, UTB first introduced the MIB module under the Centre for Communication, Teaching and Learning (CCTL) in July 2009. The MIB module is aimed at establishing loyalty to the monarch, the country as well as fostering a belief in Islamic values.
The core module also seeks to inculcate MIB ethics and principles as the foundation of political stability, social harmony and national prosperity towards achieving Brunei Vision 2035.
Taken by students from several academic programmes, the compulsory module integrates soft skills and transferable skills that are aligned with one of UTB’s strategic values, which focusses on piety. It emphasises the inculcation of MIB ethics and values among staff and students at the university where everyone is urged to adhere to and practise MIB values in their everyday life and activities.
Lecturer of CCTL Dr Malai Yunus bin Malai Yusof said the university has taken steps in adding values to its existing MIB module by incorporating the importance of Islamic ethics in its curriculum.
He said the amended MIB module will incorporate Islamic history that focusses on the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and four followers – Sayyidina Abu Bakar, Sayyidina Omar, Sayyidina Othman and Sayyidina Ali.
“The aim is to highlight the ethical values (based on Al-Quran) of the Prophet (pbuh) which are to be taken as good examples for the students,” he added.
The lecturer said aspects of Islamic civilisation will also be included in the module, highlighting prominent Islamic scholars in the fields of medicine, mathematics, astronomy and finance during the Islamic Golden Age between the 8th and 14th centuries.
Dr Malai Yunus said the improved MIB module will not only equip UTB students with knowledge and skills, but most importantly the understanding and practice of Islamic ethics and good faith.
“This will produce a generation of workforce moving towards a balanced and sustainable development based on the concept of Zikir Nation,” he added.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the university has also moved its MIB lectures to online via online education platforms (OEP) such as Moodle, Loom and Microsoft Teams.
Currently there are about 98 students from the Mechanical Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; and Civil Engineering programme areas undertaking the MIB module this semester.
The university has taken steps to effectively and creatively deliver the module to large number of students amid the outbreak. Dr Malai Yunus said he is currently exercising team-teaching with other few colleagues via online education platforms for effective lesson delivery and run the module creatively.
“We have advised the students to avoid outside activities but instead focus on their creativity, for example by producing a simple animation to deliver their message and using edited footages from media platforms and creatively making it their own in highlighting MIB values in their projects,” he added.