Sultan Nazrin Shah emphasises education to empower Ummah

Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) vice-chancellor of Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff regarded Sultan Nazrin Shah as a 'branding' for knowledge based on his educational background.

"His Royal Highness is looked up to highly as a learned Ruler, not only at UPSI, but also educationists all over Malaysia are very proud of Sultan Nazrin Shah.

"The Sultan is not only highly educated, but is always concerned about knowledge. Sultan Nazrin Shah is also an honorary fellow at several educational institutions, not only in the country, but also famous universities abroad such as Oxford," he told Bernama.

Sultan Nazrin Shah is also a Ruler who is concerned with the governance of the state and always prioritises the mission of empowering the ummah in Perak.

His Royal Highness also emphasises environmental sustainability, a topic which he often touched on in his speeches.

Sultan Nazrin Shah's concern for the environment is evident with the appointment, for the first time, of the Perak Department of Environment (DOE) director as a member of the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk).

His Royal Highness also appointed directors of several other agencies in Perak including the State Education Department, State Agriculture Department, State Youth and Sports Department and the Perak Foundation to help MAIPk empower the ummah.

"We can see that in the speeches by Sultan Nazrin Shah, His Royal Highness touched on various issues, concisely and critically, but in a professional manner without favouring any party.

"The Sultan is also very clear about other issues, not just on Islam, (but) also about food security, the welfare of youth, workers and the poor, as well as various other issues that involve the interests of the people," he said.

Last Oct 27 Oct, the Conference of Rulers again appointed Sultan Nazrin Shah as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong for five years starting Jan 31, 2024.

Sultan Nazrin Shah's appointment as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong is for the third time. The second was on Jan 24, 2019, for a period starting Jan 31, 2019, until 2023.

His Royal Highness was also appointed Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2016 when the Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chancellor (Administration and Finance), Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), Associate Prof Dr Anas Md Yusof said the appointment of Sultan Nazrin Shah, who is also USAS Chancellor, as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong will have a huge impact on the university.

"Sultan Nazrin Shah is a Sultan who attaches great importance to the value of knowledge, and His Royal Highness is an example himself, furthering his studies up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level.

Sultan Nazrin Shah, in his speeches, always emphasises the importance of education," he said.

With Sultan Nazrin Shah as USAS Chancellor, Anas said, the university has grown rapidly as a Perak state government-owned educational institution that offers study programmes from the Diploma up to the doctorate level.

According to him, USAS is also famous for its 'World Conference of Islamic Thought' (WCIT) programme which brings together Islamic thinkers from all over the world in Perak to discuss the development and progress of the Muslim community.

"The appointment of His Royal Highness as Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong provides more opportunities for USAS to become an important player in the education industry in the national and international arena," said Anas.

-- BERNAMA