Islamonweb

GOMBAK, 8 June 2026 – The Sayed Ismail Shihabuddeen Council for Visionary Leadership (SISCO), a Kulliyyah Centre of Excellence under the AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHAS KIRKHS), successfully concluded its flagship programme, the Certified Course on Visionary Leadership and Community Engagement, with a closing ceremony celebrating the achievements of its participants.

A major highlight of the closing ceremony was a keynote address by Prof. Dr. Hafiz Bin Zakariya, Dean of AHAS KIRKHS, titled “Navigating the Uncharted: Lessons from a University’s Response to Crisis.” Drawing on institutional experiences during global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, he highlighted the importance of adaptive governance, strategic restructuring, and crisis-responsive leadership in ensuring organizational resilience and continuity.

In his address, the Dean discussed the nature of crises in higher education, including what constitutes a crisis and recent examples affecting universities and their institutional functioning. He also reflected on his personal experience of managing a crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning from the first day when leadership convened in the boardroom, highlighting initial assumptions and the institution’s immediate response. The discussion further examined the differences between managing faculties or universities in normal times versus during crises, as well as what such situations reveal about previously unnoticed institutional strengths and vulnerabilities. He elaborated on how difficult decisions were communicated and what was learned about maintaining trust during periods of uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among leadership, faculty, students, and external stakeholders in overcoming challenges. The Dean also noted that crises often give rise to innovative and unexpectedly successful initiatives. Finally, he reflected on key lessons learned about balancing institutional continuity, academic quality, and the well-being of both students and staff during times of crisis.

The session was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sayed Mohamed Muhsin, Director of the SISCO Certified Course on Visionary Leadership and Community Engagement. An engaging question-and-answer session followed, allowing participants to further explore the strategic insights shared by the speaker.

Established in 2023 and inspired by the legacy of the late scholar Sayed Ismail Shihabuddeen of Kerala, India, SISCO is committed to nurturing ethically grounded leaders through the integration of Islamic values and contemporary societal engagement.

The five-month programme was designed to move beyond conventional leadership models by introducing a tawḥīd-centred framework that emphasizes leadership as a moral, ethical, and spiritual responsibility. Through 12 comprehensive sessions facilitated by 12 experts, the course equipped 60 postgraduate participants with a deeper understanding of leadership rooted in accountability, service, and stewardship.

The event also featured a certificate presentation ceremony in recognition of the dedication and commitment demonstrated by both the participants and the SISCO organizing committee throughout the programme. Certificates were presented by Prof. Dr. Hafiz Bin Zakariya, accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sayed Mohamed Muhsin and SISCO Chairman, Syed Makhdhum.

The ceremony was attended by several distinguished academic leaders and faculty members, including Dr. Tunku Mohar bin Tunku Mohd Mokhtar, Datuk Prof. Dr. Abdelaziz Berghout, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rabiah Tul Adawiyah Mohamed Salleh, Dr. Majdan Bin Alias, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saheed Abdullahi Busari.

The programme was moderated by Sr. Haadiya Mehjabeen, a final-year student from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, AHAS KIRKHS, while the event concluded with a du‘ā led by Syed Makhdhum.

The successful completion of the programme reflects SISCO’s ongoing commitment to developing visionary leaders who combine academic excellence with spiritual consciousness, ethical responsibility, and meaningful community engagement.

Reported by:

Fida Asari Pulparambil

PhD Candidate, Department of Psychology

AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM