KOTA SAMARAHAN: The State government has contributed RM1.4 million to the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) Tabung Wakaf here on Thursday night.
In addition, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad also contributed RM40,000, Sarawak Energy Berhad (RM30,000), UNIMAS Business School (RM25,000) and RM10,000 each from Kiwitech Sdn Bhd, Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd, Awqaf Holdings Sdn Bhd and Farley Supermarket.
Meanwhile, Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak has been contributing over RM2 million annually to UNIMAS for its human capital development.
The launching of UNIMAS Tabung Wakaf at the university’s campus was officiated by the Head of State and UNIMAS Chancellor, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who also contributed RM200,000.
Speaking during the launching, the Vice Chancellor of UNIMAS Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said that in light of the current economic situation, government assistance to universities was no longer an advantage.
“This affects universities which have long depended on funds from the public for its sustainability.
“Hence, alternatives need to be sought to ensure the sustainability of having the same endowment fund as some of the world’s leading universities such as Cambridge University (RM31 billion) and Oxford University (RM22 billion),” said Kadim.
He added that the establishment of Tabung Wakaf was to help sustain the higher education institution in the future if it was managed effectively.
“If this becomes a reality, the university would be able to operate the significant increase of fees.
“Therefore, ‘wakaf’ and endowment are among the ways that can help institutes of higher learning to generate its own income,” he said.
Kadim explained that earlier this year, UNIMAS has been officially appointed as the representative of the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) to organise the collection of special ‘wakaf’ funds for three projects.
These projects are the ‘Wakaf Pembangunan Masjid Kampus Timur’ (RM2 million), ‘Wakaf Pembangunan Pusat Dewan Peperiksaan’ (RM5 million), and ‘Wakaf Pembinaan Bangunan Pusat Pembangunan dan Khidmat Teknologi Maklumat’ (RM12 million).
“UNIMAS also established five endowment funds to help those who need it as well as to fulfil the organisation’s responsibilities to the community.
“Among the funds involved is the Scholarship Fund, the
Student Welfare Fund, and the Academic and Research Fund,” he said.
He also added that two other funds were established; the Development Fund to ensure facilities can be provided for students as well as the Alumni Fund to encourage UNIMAS alumni members to give back.
At the same time, the State government also contributed a ‘Wakaf Tanah’ of 300 acres to the university.
