Singapore University of Social Sciences-Singapore College of Islamic Studies Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony

Prof Robbie Goh, Provost SUSS

Mr Mohamed Sa’at Abdul Rahman, President of MUIS

Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, Mufti of Singapore

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Chairman of the SCIS Board of Governors

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

Introduction

1. Thank you for joining us this afternoon for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS).

2. This partnership marks an important milestone for the Muslim community and for Singapore. When we announced the SCIS last year, we had a clear vision that the institution is key in nurturing a pipeline of future asatizah who are equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills to provide contextualised religious guidance for our Muslim community. In a diverse, multicultural society like Singapore, it would be crucial for our religious teachers to be proficient in Islamic teachings and competent in addressing the community’s evolving needs.

3. In this regard, the SCIS’s dual track approach seeks to provide our students with a strong foundation of Islamic knowledge as well as a wide range of practical skills that can be applied in religious and the adjacent social sectors. Whether they embark on the Islamic Studies or Social Sciences pathways, SCIS students will be exposed to interdisciplinary learning and applied skills that will enable them to better support the community and contribute more actively to the society.

4. This is where the partnership between SCIS and SUSS plays a significant role. Today’s MOU builds on the existing partnership between MUIS and SUSS on the Postgraduate Certificate in Islam in Contemporary Societies programme, or PCICS since 2020. SUSS' applied education model and expertise in social sciences will complement SCIS's mission of nurturing Islamic scholarship. By harnessing the strengths of both institutions, SCIS students can look forward to a credible and robust undergraduate degree programme in Islamic Studies that integrates SCIS's expertise in Islamic scholarship with SUSS' practice-oriented educational approach.

Significance of the SUSS-SCIS partnership

5. This SCIS-SUSS partnership is a significant step, not only for SCIS students, but also the wider Muslim community and Singapore.

   1. Addressing contemporary challenges & enhancing graduate outcomes

      • First, SCIS graduates will be equipped to address contemporary challenges and contribute to both religious and social sectors. Today, technological advancements, social change, and global interconnectedness demand fresh approaches to both religious guidance and professional service. Through this partnership, SUSS will provide modules from its existing curriculum and collaborate with SCIS in developing new specialised modules.

      • In doing so, SCIS students will gain access to Social Sciences programmes, opening doors to a wide range of careers in counselling, social work and related fields, while maintaining their qualification as Tier 1 asatizah under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS). This ensures that SCIS graduates are adaptable and competent with relevant skills. By expanding career pathways and strengthening Singapore's social service sector, SCIS graduates will be able to contribute meaningfully across diverse professional settings, enriching Singapore’s social fabric.

   2. Realising the community aspirations

      • Second, the partnership contributes to the aspirations of our Muslim community to practice its faith with confidence, in harmony with other groups. By expanding the skillsets and capabilities of our asatizah, we can better support our community to confront contemporary challenges and leverage new opportunities. They can also apply their skills to uplift those in need, and contribute to broader society as active and valued citizens. Our vision for the SCIS is to not only be a centre for religious learning and thought leadership, but a hub for community engagements and social interactions.

   3. Embodying Singapore's contextualised approach

      • Third, the partnership reflects Singapore’s distinctive approach to religious education – one that combines traditional Islamic teachings with practical wisdom and application beyond the religious sector. It demonstrates how Islamic higher education can remain rooted in Islamic traditions and principles, while staying relevant and adaptive to Singapore's multiracial and multireligious context.

Conclusion

6. The SCIS-SUSS partnership is the beginning of a new chapter in Islamic higher education that will benefit our community, our graduates, and our nation for generations to come. In fact, SCIS and SUSS will not just be partners, but also future neighbours once the new campus in Rochor is built! I am confident that this collaboration will be defined not just by the good programmes we create together, but by how our graduates transform and uplift communities in their own ways – as thought leaders, bridge‑builders, and scholars who are confident in their faith and ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.

7. Allow me to say a few words in Malay.

8. Saudara saudari sekalian, Memorandum Persefahaman atau MoU antara SUSS dan Kolej Pengajian Islam Singapura (SCIS) hari ini adalah satu detik penting bagi masyarakat Islam dan juga Singapura. Ia membawa kita selangkah lagi ke hadapan dalam rancangan kita untuk membangunkan sebuah kolej Islam yang bakal melahirkan barisan asatizah masa hadapan yang berkeyakinan untuk membimbing masyarakat Islam. MoU ini bakal memperkukuh pendekatan pembelajaran antara disiplin dan meluaskan peluang kerjaya bagi graduan SCIS. Kerjasama ini menggabungkan cara pembelajaran tradisi dan prinsip Islam dengan keperluan zaman kini. Pelajar SCIS kini boleh mengambil kursus Sains Sosial di SUSS dan memperluas kemahiran dalam sektor berkaitan seperti kaunseling, kerja sosial, sambil mengekalkan kelayakan sebagai asatizah yang diiktiraf.

9. Kerjasama ini akan memperkukuh pembangunan pelajar menerusi tiga aspek utama. Pertama, mengharungi cabaran semasa; kedua, memperkukuh keupayaan graduan SCIS untuk memperluas peluang pekerjaan mereka dan ketiga, menerapkan pendekatan pembelajaran Islam yang sesuai untuk konteks Singapura. Dengan menggabungkan kekuatan kedua-dua institusi, para pelajar SCIS akan dapat menyumbang kepada pelbagai bidang kerja, memperkukuh masyarakat Islam, sambil memperteguh hubungan sosial masyarakat majmuk Singapura.

10. Ayuh sama-sama kita memberikan sokongan padu kepada kerjasama unik, inovatif dan bermakna ini di antara kedua-dua SUSS dan SCIS. Semoga ia membawa kepada hasil positif dan kejayaan yang kita semua banggakan kelak.

11. Terima kasih.