Didn’t you know that the Academy of Islamic Studies is a faculty of the University of Malaya? It stands as a testament to Malaysia’s dedication to Islamic education. The Academy of Islamic Studies wasn’t always as you see it today. Its story is one of mergers and growth.
In 1959, the Department of Islamic Studies emerged from a partnership. It was a formal relationship between the Islamic College of Malaya and the University of Malaya. The Council for Islamic Colleges oversaw the department. The Senate of the University Malaya monitored academic matters.
The Council of Islamic Colleges dissolved in 1970. The Department of Islamic Studies then fell under the University Malaya’s direct control. It resided within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences until 1996.
Meanwhile, the Academy of Islam formed in 1981. This happened after taking over the Kelantan Foundation for Higher Islamic Studies. The foundation had been around since 1965. The Academy of Islam had two faculties. These were the Faculty of Syariah and the Faculty of Usuluddin. It offered a Bachelor’s in Islamic Education and a pre-academy matriculation program.
A significant transformation occurred in 1996. The Department of Islamic Studies merged with the Academy of Islam. This merger created the Academy of Islamic Studies. In the same year, the Academy expanded. It formed nine departments across four divisions. These divisions covered Syariah Studies, Theological Studies, and Joined Studies.
The Division of Syariah Studies included departments focused on Fiqh and Usul. Also Siasah Syar’iyyah, Syariah and Economics, Syariah and Management, and Syariah and Law. The Division of Theological Studies included departments. These were Aqidah and Islamic Thoughts, Missionary and Human Development, Al-Quran and Al-Hadith and Islamic History and Civilization. The Division of Joined Studies continued joint programs. These programs were in Islamic Education and Islamic Studies with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The Pre-Academy Programme remained at the Nilam Puri branch campus in Kelantan.
The Department of Islamic History, Civilization, and Education stands as a unique entity. It resulted from a merger and rebranding within APIUM. The department combines the Department of Islamic History and Civilization and the Islamic Education Programme. The Islamic Education Programme has offered a Bachelor of Islamic Education since 1982. This was in collaboration with other faculties. The Department of Islamic History and Civilization has offered a Bachelor of Usuluddin since 1996.
Today, the Academy of Islamic Studies offers various programs. They offer undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Students can pursue Master’s and PhD degrees. The Academy’s library supports these academic endeavors. It houses books, journals, theses and conference papers.
The Academy of Islamic Studies continues to evolve. It adapts to meet the needs of a changing world. It remains a vital center for Islamic learning and research in Malaysia.