His Majesty the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan Agrees to Attend the MoA Ceremony Between UPSI and OXCIS, UK

His Majesty the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah agreed to attend the Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OXCIS), United Kingdom (UK), this morning.

Also departing was Her Majesty the Queen of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Tuanku Zara Salim, who is also the Chancellor of UPSI.

Their Majesties both agreed to witness the MoA between UPSI represented by the Vice-Chancellor of UPSI, YBhg. Prof Dato' Dr. Md Amin bin Md. Taff and the Chief Deputy Registrar of UPSI, YBrs. Encik Helmi Zaifura bin Abdul Rahman while OXCIS, UK was represented by the Director of OXCIS, UK, YBhg. Dr. Farhan Ahmad Nizami and Fellow of OXCIS, University of Oxford, UK, YBhg. Prof Dato' Dr Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti.

Also present were YAB Menteri Besar of Perak, Dato' Seri Saarani bin Mohamad and his wife, YABhg. Datin Seri Aezer binti Zubin; YABhg. Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja, General Dato' Seri Diraja Tan Sri (Dr.) Mohd. Zahidi bin Haji Zainuddin (Retired) and his wife, YABhg. Toh Puan Datin Seri Diraja Puan Sri Hajah Rasiah binti Md. Nor; YB Secretary to the State Government of Perak, Dato' Ahmad Suaidi bin Abdul Rahim and his wife, YBhg. Datin Che Fauziah binti Ahmad; YB State Legal Advisor, Dato' Azmir Shah bin Zainal Abidin and YB State Financial Officer, Tuan Mohd Zaki bin Mahyudin as well as Deputy Vice Rector for International Cooperation, Uzbekistan State World Languages University, Dr. Alisher Abidjanov.

According to YBhg. Prof Dato' Dr. Md Amin bin Md. Taff, this ceremony marks the beginning of an extraordinary partnership between two institutions rich in heritage, tradition and academic excellence.

"The MoA is for UPSI and OXCIS to join forces to create the 'Qari-in-Residence' initiative which will see selected students from the Tahfiz and Turath Islami programmes staying at OXCIS throughout the month of Ramadan starting in 2024.

"This program provides our students with the opportunity to engage with the local community at OXCIS and in Oxfordshire through various activities with the community and knowledge transfer which will be an added value to the students and also places emphasis on internationalization and empowering students which is in line with the objectives of the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT)," he explained when delivering his speech.