KUCHING: The Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) has announced plans to upgrade the Pengajian Islam Kelas Agama Dewasa MIS Certificate to a diploma level by adding training examinations and introducing an industrial training syllabus.
MIS president Datuk Misnu Taha said this matter would be discussed in more detail with the Malaysian Islamic Skills Institute Sarawak (IKMAS).
“As we move forward, we will work together with IKMAS to see if this certificate can reach diploma level, that is our goal.
“Usually, a certificate has exams, but if upgraded to a diploma, there would be more exams for participants, as well as industrial training, where we might send them to rural areas for one or two weeks to apply the knowledge they’ve learned, so that when they return, they fully understand what we are doing here.
“This industrial training happens at IKMAS, where students are placed in villages for a month instead of in the offices,” he said at the Sijil Pengajian Islam Kelas Agama Dewasa Majlis Islam Sarawak Convocation for the 2022 and 2023 Sessions, here Saturday (Nov 9).
Misnu added that they are also proposing to open similar classes at community centres, including Senior Citizens Activity Centres (PAWE), to spread Islamic knowledge more broadly.
“We can organise these classes at community centres so that participants can gain knowledge and study in a structured way, based on correct beliefs and religious teachings.
“The idea is that as a result of these classes, there will be no misunderstandings that could harm us in Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Islamic Department director Mual Suaud stated that 21 students participated in the Adult Religious Class in Kuching during the 2022 session.
As for the 2023 session, he said 242 students participated in the class across Sarawak.