ITC AND USIM SIGN MOU TO STRENGTHEN VALUE OF ISLAMIC TOURISM

PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA, 24 JUNE 2022: Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) on cooperation commitment to share the goal of developing talents, expanding knowledge and information of tourism within Malaysia’s Islamic Tourism landscape and relevant fields. The signing took place during ITC’s inaugural Islamic Tourism Week (ITW) at Zenith Hotel, Putrajaya.

Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip Haji Hasan, Director-General of Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) signed the MOU on behalf of ITC while USIM was represented by Prof. TS. Dr. Sharifudin Md. Shaarani, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) USIM.  

During the signing, both parties agreed to share expertise and knowledge to advance Islamic Tourism-related training, research, module development, standards development, develop publicity materials on tourism, joint organization of meetings, conventions and seminars, and other areas in the Islamic Tourism sector. 

Dato’ Dr. Mohmed Razip said: “As the Islamic Tourism sector in Malaysia continues to expand, there is an urgent need for experienced and skilful talents to meet the growing demand. This strategic collaboration is in keeping with the two parties’ common interests in promoting the range, quality and value of Islamic Tourism and raise awareness of the niche market among key tourism stakeholders. ITC will continue to share our expertise and research with the industry, and this memorandum certainly will boost linkages between the sector and academia for a well-trained workforce and leadership in the future.”

Prof. Ts. Dr. Sharifuddin said: “Islamic tourism as a concept has been used with different names and connotations in the tourism theory and practice. Halal tourism, Sharia’h Tourism and Muslim-friendly tourism are the most common terms, which are used alternatively. In USIM, we offered a specific academic program pertaining to Islamic tourism where the curriculum structures and the courses designed in this programme cover the equal elements of naqli and aqli in the realms of management and tourism. The delivery of knowledge and theories and the inculcation of related skills in each of the courses are expected to develop skilful future talents in the field of management and tourism.”

Under the MOU, both parties will also jointly develop and implement the “3u1i Study Mode” programme in the field of management and administration of Islamic Tourism and other relevant fields. “3u1i Study Mode” is a programme to ensure graduates are truly job-ready by acquiring the necessary theoretical and practical experience.

The partnership between ITC and USIM follows Malaysia’s impressive results in once again being ranked first in the list of best Muslim-friendly holiday destinations, according to the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2022.

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About USIM:

Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) is an emerging Islamic university which is fully owned and funded by the Malaysian Government. Being the 12th Public Institution of Higher learning, it aims to spearhead knowledge and be the global reference centre for Islamic Science.

USIM adopts a balanced approach between the physical and spiritual aspects, not only in the academic programmes offered, but is also widely practised throughout the university including administration and management levels. Against this backdrop, USIM embraces a holistic approach towards the delivery of knowledge, which unites revelational sciences (Naqli knowledge) and the rational sciences (Aqli knowledge).

USIM thus offers a unique model to Islamic Higher Education setting it apart from other Islamic universities worldwide. The integration of religious sciences together with the social and physical sciences in all its programmes provides a comprehensive understanding of current global problems and offers a fresh alternative in solving them.

About ITC:

Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) is an entity under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia tasked to develop the Islamic tourism segment for Malaysia. It advocates for Muslim-friendly tourism (MFT) by offering research and market intelligence, training, industry development consultation, Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality (MFTH) service standards and certification, and information exchange.

In 2021, ITC received two key awards, i.e. Strategic Business Alliance Award at The BrandLaureate World Halal Best Brand E-Branding Awards 2021, and Best Islamic Tourism Leadership Gold Award 2021 by Malaysia Tourism Council. These are recognition of ITC’s efforts and endeavours in formulating new strategies to meet the new normal of the business environment to ensure business continuity and sustainability, notwithstanding its role to develop and grow the Islamic tourism segment in Malaysia.

In 2022, Malaysia was again named top country in the world in the MFT sector by the State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) Report 2022 by DinarStandard in partnership with Salaam Standard and supported by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

Malaysia also retained the top-ranked destination in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2022, a position it has defended since the launch of the Index in 2015.

These recognitions are an added motivation for ITC to continue to strengthen its efforts in being a prime mover and leading institution to ensure Malaysia is at the forefront of MFTH.

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