SEPANG, 28 May: The Selangor International Islamic University College (Kuis) emerged as the first institute of higher learning (IPT) in Malaysian to develop a system of cash endowment to find infrastructural development.

The Exco for Islamic Affairs, Malay Customs and Heritage, Rural Development and Traditional Villages, Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, said that the cash endowment which is open to the public is a good start to expand the endowment system involving IPTs and religious secondary schools in the country.

“This cash endowment is Kuis’ initiative to develop a library, student centre and several infrastructures that require finances.

“One source of funding is from public endowments.

“I hope that after this there will be an entire endowment institution. It can happen by taking example of the Middle East and neighbouring countries, and it is even beneficial to the people,” he said.

He said this after launching the Cash Endowment International Conference 2015 at the Empress Hotel today.

Prior to this, Dr Ahmad Yunus said that the endowment system pioneered by the time of the Prophet Muhammad is an effective approach to develop the community, including education.

He said that among the most successful universities that use the endowment system that spawned thousands of clerics and Islamic scholars is the University of Al-Azhar, Egypt.

He said that the endowment system is practiced by the University of Cordoba in Spain, Madrasah Nizamiyyah (Baghdad), Al-Qurawiyyin (Fez), Al-Islamiyyah (Madinah), Pondok Pesantren Darunnajah (Indonesia) dan Madrasah Al-Juneid (Singapore).

NS