‘Ikmas relevant in producing excellent human capital’

KUCHING: The results of Institut Kemahiran Islam Malaysia (Ikmas) prove that establishing the learning institution is timely and relevant in producing excellent human capital in Sarawak.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said this also served as a counter statement for certain parties which claimed that the presence of religious institutions, especially Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), did not benef it Sarawak’s development.

“Ikmas has justified its existence which is apt and relevant and it will continue to go further in the future.

“Its existence is very helpful to the Muslim community in Sarawak. Furthermore, they ( Ikmas graduates) will be the backbone of Islamic development in the state,” he said at Ikmas’ 15th Convocation at Sarawak Islamic Complex here yesterday.

Jamil said Ikmas, which started small initial ly, continued to produce excellent human capital until today.

“It turns out that the move is meaningful.. they are capable of producing many Ikmas graduates.

“The uniqueness of Sarawak in terms of racial harmony and unity of the people is exemplary, because we do not want to see our country producing extremist groups that can divide society,” he added.

Jamil hoped that higher learning institutions could continue to produce human capital who could contribute to diverse fields and occupations to spur ‘ dakwah’ efforts in Sarawak.

For the past 16 years since its establishment, Ikmas has produced 821 post- graduate students comprising 358 males and 463 females.

At the convocation, 96 graduates received their Diploma in Islamic Studies and Dakwah, which was presented by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

He also presented awards to four best Ikmas graduates with Anis A’qilah Ya’akup receiving the Minister i n the Prime Minister’s Department Award, Hezret Harrani Su’udi ( Jakim Director- General Award), Nurul Tauyah Yusuf ( Sarawak Islamic Council Award) and Norsahira Rasidi ( Ikmas Award).

Taib (fourth left front) and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib (fourth right), together with Jamil (third left) in a group photo with graduates who excelled in their studies (from left) Hezret, Anis, Nurul (second right) and Norsahira...

Graduates at the 15th Ikmas convocation.