MUIS hosts fifth Madrasah Teachers' Symposium

1. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) hosted the fifth edition of the Madrasah Teachers’ Symposium (MTS) on 25 November 2025 at Furama Riverfront Hotel, gathering 430 full-time and part-time madrasah teachers and asatizah under the theme "Madrasah in the Digital Age: Harmonising Technology and Tradition."

Building on comprehensive AI preparation programme

2. The symposium marked a significant milestone in the sector’s digital transformation journey, building on comprehensive AI literacy development initiatives throughout 2025. Thirty-six educators have been certified as an AI READY ASEAN Master Trainers through the AI Ready ASEAN Programme. The programme is run in partnership with AI Singapore and the ASEAN Foundation, supported by Google.org. Additionally, 24 participants demonstrated advanced AI application skills at the Madrasah Teachers’ AI Prompt Challenge, showcasing practical use of AI in curriculum development and student assessment.

3. These achievements underscore the sector’s readiness to adopt AI tools while preserving Islamic educational values. Both AI READY ASEAN Master Trainers certification and the Madrasah Teachers’ AI Prompt Challenge were pre-symposium activities organised to create awareness of the potential for AI adoption in classrooms, showcasing practical abilities in using AI for curriculum development and student assessment.

4. Through structured workshops and collaborative sessions, including breakout sessions led by teachers for teachers – participants enhanced their capabilities in using AI to analyse assessment data, strengthen Arabic language learning and encourage selfdirected learning among students. The symposium reinforced MUIS’s vision of developing future-ready asatizah who can navigate modern complexities and remain firmly aligned with Islamic principles.

5. One of the presenters for the breakout session “From Scores to Stories: Unveiling Insights from Exam Results, Mr Mohammad Fauzi Azman who teaches English, Geography and Physical Education at Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah shared, “Using AI has transformed my workflow. Preparing a week of lessons used to take me about 10 hours — now it takes less than one. That extra time lets me design richer learning experiences and even build tools like a chatbot that helps us analyse assessment data and identify when students need support. I also guide my students to use AI responsibly. They know they can’t rely on it to think for them — they must question, analyse, and think critically.

Strategic partnership with AI Singapore

6. MUIS continues to partner with AI Singapore to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance Islamic education — from curriculum design and assessment to personalised learning insights. AI Singapore (AISG), a national programme launched by the National Research Foundation (NRF), contributed expertise and certification programmes, whilst MUIS ensured all applications aligned with Islamic educational objectives and community values.

7. At the symposium, Director of AI Talent Development at AI Singapore, Mr Koo Sengmeng, delivered an address titled, “AI’s Global Impact: Reshaping Society and Education”. His address emphasised how technological advances are transforming classroom teaching and why AI literacy is essential for students’ future success.

8. While Associate Professor Dr Zahid Syed Ali from the University of Michigan-Flint presented, “Nurturing Digital-Age Khalifah: Harmonising Islamic Values with Technology,” offering frameworks to evaluate technology adoption through Islamic ethical principles, while addressing concerns about digital dependency.

9. Sohibus Samahah Mufti Dr Nazirudin Nasir, Guest-of-Honour, emphasised the importance of maintaining spiritual authenticity while embracing beneficial innovations. In his speech, he addressed the audience, and said, “Our intellectual heritage tells us we shall not fear this future and what it brings, and that we have a sacred duty to shape it with courage and wisdom. Our moral heritage offers us the values that will help make these changes meaningful and positive for humanity. Our spiritual tradition guides us that our care for humanity and pursuit for goodness must underpin all our efforts. This is the balance we need to uphold as leaders and educators, so that will continue the legacy of scholars and religious institutions to nurture future generations of students who are capable of guiding the community with both knowledge and moral clarity in an increasingly complex world.”

10. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, also delivered a pre-recorded message recognising the vital role of madrasah educators in shaping young minds and preparing students for the future. Acting Minister Faishal said, “Every time you prepare a lesson, try something new, or help a student understand something better, you're making that vision come true. Change doesn't happen because of technology alone. It happens because teachers like you care enough to make it happen."

Expanding professional development

11. For the first time, the symposium extended participation beyond full-time madrasah teachers to include part-time educators from programmes such as aLIVE and other Islamic Education Centres and Providers (IECP). This expansion reflects MUIS’s commitment to strengthening digital capabilities across the entire madrasah education ecosystem and transforming teaching practices sector-wide.

12. The symposium concluded with a shared vision: to nurture students who are strong in their faith, clear in their values, and ready to make a positive difference in Singapore and beyond.