HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA or Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University) is a public
research university A research university or a research-intensive university is a university that is committed to research as a central part of its mission. They are "the key sites of Knowledge production modes, knowledge production", along with "intergenerational ...
located in
Bandar Seri Begawan Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) is the capital and largest city of Brunei. It is officially a Municipalities of Brunei, municipal area () with an area of and an estimated population of 100,700 as of 2007. It is part of Brunei–Muara District, the s ...
,
Brunei Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with ...
, established in 2007. As the country’s first Islamic university and second national institution, UNISSA focuses on developing Muslim scholars and intellectuals who contribute to both national development and the wider Muslim community. The university strives to ensure that its programs meet international standards and align with contemporary needs to enhance the quality of its academic offerings. Its mission is to foster a sustainable educational environment based on the principles of
Maqasid ''Maqasid'' (, ) or ''maqāṣid al-sharīʿa'' (goals or objectives of ''sharia'') is an Islamic legal doctrine. Together with another related classical doctrine, '' maṣlaḥa'' (), it has come to play an increasingly prominent role in modern ...
Shariah Sharia, Sharī'ah, Shari'a, or Shariah () is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition based on scriptures of Islam, particularly the Qur'an and hadith. In Islamic terminology ''sharīʿah'' refers to immutable, intan ...
.


Etymology

The
Islamic prophet Prophets in Islam () are individuals in Islam who are believed to spread God's message on Earth and serve as models of ideal human behaviour. Some prophets are categorized as messengers (; sing. , ), those who transmit divine revelation, mos ...
Muhammad Muhammad (8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad in Islam, According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the tawhid, monotheistic teachings of A ...
's descendant Barkat Ali ibnu Sharif Ajlan ibnu Sharif Rumaithah, often known as
Sharif Ali Sharif Ali (died ) or commonly known as Sultan Berkat (the Blessed Sultan), was the fourth sultan of Brunei from 1425 until 1432, the year of his alleged death. He ascended the Brunei throne in 1425, succeeding his father-in-law, Sultan Ahmad, ...
, was named the third
Sultan of Brunei The Sultan of Brunei is the monarchical head of state of Brunei and head of government in his capacity as prime minister of Brunei. Since independence from the British in 1984, only one sultan has reigned, though the royal institution dates bac ...
after marrying the daughter of his predecessor, Sultan
Ahmad Ahmad () is an Arabic male given name common in most parts of the Muslim world. Other English spellings of the name include Ahmed. It is also used as a surname. Etymology The word derives from the root ( ḥ-m-d), from the Arabic (), from ...
. He was the first sultan to construct a mosque in Brunei, but in 1945–1946, Allied bombardment destroyed it during
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
.


History

During the 16th and 17th convocations of the
Universiti Brunei Darussalam The Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD or University of Brunei Darussalam) is a public national university, national research university situated in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, was founded in 1985 and is the oldest institution i ...
(UBD) in 2004 and 2005, Sultan
Hassanal Bolkiah Hassanal Bolkiah Muiz'zaddin Wad'daulah (born 15 July 1946) is the List of sultans of Brunei, Sultan of Brunei since 1967, and Prime Minister of Brunei, prime minister of Brunei since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1984. He is one ...
introduced the idea of establishing a second university in Brunei, specifying that it would be an Islamic university. The objective was to create a centre for the promotion of Islam in the region. Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) was officially founded on 1 January 2007 and admitted its first cohort of students in August of the same year, with 27 doctoral candidates and 125 undergraduates. Initially, UNISSA operated through the Sultan Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS), a faculty previously part of UBD, as it lacked a permanent location. In February 2009, the university moved to a new campus in Gadong, previously home to the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah College of Nursing. On 1 August 2009, three UBD Library staff members were assigned to establish the UNISSA Library.


Organisation and administration

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.


Governance

The Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali Act outlines the authorities of UNISSA, which include various organisations as specified by legislation, such as the Council, Senate, Board of Studies, Board of an Institution, Boards of Selection, and Board of Student Welfare. The methods, composition, and functions of these authorities are detailed in the university's Constitution. The Council serves as the executive body of the university, exercising all powers conferred by the university's charter, laws, and regulations, except those explicitly assigned to other bodies, officials, or authorities. The executive officers at UNISSA are as follows: * Rector * Acting Deputy Rector(Policy and Corporate) * Assistant Rector (Research & International) * Assistant Rector (Academic) * Assistant Rector (Student Affairs & Alumni) * Registrar


Faculties and programmes

Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) comprises 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 consist of 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, management centres include the Centre for Research and Publication, Centre for Public and International Relations, and Centre for Technology and Multimedia. Students pursuing a bachelor's degree at UNISSA who achieve a cumulative
GPA Grading in education is the application of standardized measurements to evaluate different levels of student achievement in a course. Grades can be expressed as letters (usually A to F), as a range (for example, 1 to 6), percentages, or as num ...
of 3.55 or higher during their first two years of study are eligible to participate in a study abroad program. This program allows students to study for one year, or two semesters, at UNISSA's partner institutions located in the Middle East, the United Kingdom, or Malaysia. The program aims to expose students to different educational systems, lifestyles, and cultures while promoting the moral principles of Islam and encouraging qualities of
global citizenship Global citizenship is a form of transnationality, specifically the idea that one's identity transcends geography or political borders and that responsibilities or rights are derived from membership in a broader global class of "humanity". This do ...
. Additionally, the Minor Programme at UNISSA is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary learning opportunities, fostering the development of skilled and versatile graduates. This initiative aims to enhance the marketability of graduates through a range of available minors, including Contemporary Da‘wah, Shariah Law, Translation, Islamic Economics, Information and Communication Technology, and Halal Science.


Academic profile


Rankings

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. For the past two years (2022 and 2023), UNISSA has been rated in the top 201-300 position in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). The university is ranked 221st in the 2024 edition.


International partnerships

UNISSA has international membership in the
Association of Commonwealth Universities The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is a charitable organization that was established in 1913, and has over 400 member institutions in over 40 countries across the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth.ASEAN University Network The ASEAN University Network (AUN) is an Asian university association. It was founded in November 1995 by ASEAN member countries including 13 universities. After the enlargement of ASEAN by the ASEAN Charter in 1997 and 1999, the AUN membersh ...
(AUN), Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN),
International Association of Universities The International Association of Universities (IAU) is a membership-led non-governmental organization working in the field of global higher education. It has more than 600 members in over 130 countries, including institutions, organizations, aff ...
(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 The United Nations Academic Impact, also known by its acronym UNAI, is a United Nations initiative to align institutions of higher education, scholarship and research with the United Nations and with each other. In the words of former United Nat ...
(UNAI). UNISSA has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) and agreements with several foreign universities such as
Universitas Negeri Malang The State University of Malang (, abbreviated as UM), formerly the Institute of Teacher Education and Educational Sciences of Malang (, abbreviated as IKIP Malang), is one of the state university, state universities in Indonesia. Located in Malan ...
, Bilad Al-Syam University, Islamic University of Maldives,
Princess of Naradhiwas University Princess of Naradhiwas University (; ; PNU) is a government sponsored university in Narathiwat, southern Thailand. It was founded under the act on 9 February 2005 by merging all educational institutions in the province. Those institutions are N ...
, Kunta-Haji Russian Islamic University, and many other universities and institutions. In March 2023, UNISSA and
Huawei Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ("Huawei" sometimes stylized as "HUAWEI"; ; zh, c=华为, p= ) is a Chinese multinational corporationtechnology company in Longgang, Shenzhen, Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong. Its main product lines include teleco ...
Technologies signed an MoU to promote cooperation and innovation in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) for the university's academic initiatives.


Student life

Around 1,045 students from UNISSA started both hybrid and in-person classes in January 2022 at its campuses in Sinaut,
Tutong District Tutong District (; Jawi script, Jawi: دائيره توتوڠ) or simply known as Tutong ('), is the third largest and populated districts of Brunei, district in Brunei. It has an area of and the population of 47,210 as of 2021. The district i ...
, and Gadong,
Brunei–Muara District Brunei–Muara District (; Jawi script, Jawi: دايره بروني موارا), or simply known as Brunei–Muara ('), is the smallest as well as the most populated districts of Brunei, district in Brunei. It has an area of and the population ...
. UNISSA also carried on with its online instruction and learning sessions based on how well the courses fit the available modules.


International students

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.


Residential colleges

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, organising 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.


Chancellor's Trophy

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. The winner of the Chancellor's Trophy 2022 was UBD, with UNISSA coming in second and Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) in third.


Campus


Gadong Campus

Established in 2022, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) operates from a temporary campus equipped with essential facilities, including Surau Al-Shafi'i, a gymnasium, a library with over 120,000 volumes, computer labs, student
residential colleges A residential college is a division of a university that places academic activity in a community setting of students and faculty, usually at a residence and with shared meals, the college having a degree of autonomy and a federated relationship ...
, a football field, Jubilee Hall, an auditorium, a moot court, and a Senate conference room. The UNISSA Centre for Public and International Relations focuses on enhancing the university’s reputation through strategic partnerships with regional, national, and international organisations. Its objectives include maintaining relationships with local stakeholders, media, and global institutions, while facilitating legal processes for memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements (MOAs). The Centre for Leadership and Lifelong Learning (C4L), located at the UNISSA Gadong Campus, was founded in 2017. It provides training programs and courses focused on Islamic human development, promoting continuous learning for professional and personal growth, and supporting the public and private sectors through comprehensive educational programs.


Sinaut Campus

On 15 June 2021, UNISSA acquired its second campus, later named the UNISSA Sinaut Campus, located at the Sinaut Agricultural Training Centre. The Faculty of Agriculture was relocated to this new site to accommodate a growing student body and the increasing demand for faculty facilities. Initially, the faculty was planned to be housed at the upcoming UNISSA campus in
Temburong District Temburong District (; Jawi script, Jawi: دائيره تمبوروڠ) or simply known as Temburong ('; ), is the second largest and least populated districts of Brunei, district in Brunei. It has an area of and the population of 9,444 as of 20 ...
. The new campus will include administrative buildings, lecture halls, dormitories, canteens, scientific laboratories, residential facilities, and multipurpose halls, aimed at improving the environment for students and staff. The Halalan Thayyiban Research Centre, established on 29 April 2017 and officially opened on 7 July 2017, focuses on advancing research, education, and professional services in the halal industry, contributing to the goals of Wawasan Brunei 2035. The centre's objectives include offering academic programs, conducting research, product authentication, and addressing halal-related societal challenges.


Piasau-Piasau Campus

On 13 July 2022, UNISSA held a Doa Selamat ceremony to mark the commencement of construction on its new campus in Kampong Piasau-Piasau, Temburong District. As part of the project, of
primary rainforest Rainforests are forests characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can be generally classified as tropical rainforests or ...
were cleared, with efforts made to relocate the flora and fauna. The initial construction phase involves developing the primary road network, street lighting, electrical infrastructure, telecommunications systems, and landscaping. The contractor, Thong & Thong, began work on 7 May 2022, with an expected completion date of 6 May 2024. The $100 million project, spanning 310 hectares and budgeted at $33,976,353.19, is part of the 11th
National Development Plan National Development Plan (NDP, ) is the title given by the Irish Government to a scheme of organised large-scale expenditure on (mainly) national infrastructure. The first five-year plan ran from 1988 to 1993, the second was a six-year plan f ...
(RKN 11). It will include a sports complex, auditorium, administrative and academic buildings, a residential college, student center, canteen, and multipurpose hall.


Notable people


Rectors

* 2007–2009: Pengiran Mohammad Abdul Rahman * 2009–2010: Mohd. Yusop Damit * 2010–2013: Serbini Matahir * 2014–present: Dato Norarfan Zainal


Notes


References


External links


Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali website
{{authority control Universities and colleges established in 2007 2007 establishments in Brunei Universities and colleges in Brunei ASEAN University Network