The Kulliyyah of Medicine (KOM) at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has developed a transformative strategic framework for 2025–2030. Guided by the Tawhidic worldview, the framework integrates faith (iman), knowledge (‘ilm), and good character (akhlaq) into every aspect of its academic, research, and community engagement efforts. It aims to produce healthcare professionals who embody competence and compassion, recognising their responsibility as khalifah to serve humanity and protect the planet.
In an era defined by post-normal times, characterised by complexity, uncertainty, and chaos, this framework addresses the pressing need for resilience and adaptability in medical education. KOM aims to equip healthcare professionals with the skills, values, and ethical grounding needed to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world while upholding their commitment to humanity and the environment.
This framework focuses on six interconnected areas, ensuring a holistic and forward-looking approach to medical education and healthcare development.
Academic Excellence
KOM aims to achieve global recognition as a centre of academic excellence rooted in ethical and spiritual values. Tawhidic principles are embedded into curricula, with a focus on spirituality, clinical competence, and compassion. Continuous quality improvement will ensure the dynamic relevance of these academic programmes.
To enhance clinical training, KOM will adopt cutting-edge technologies such as simulation, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). These tools will complement traditional clinical teaching methods, providing learners with immersive environments to refine their skills and prepare for complex and unpredictable healthcare scenarios. Structured workshops for faculty development will further strengthen teaching and assessment skills aligned with faith-based education.
Competent and Compassionate Talent
The framework underscores the importance of nurturing healthcare professionals who excel both technically and ethically. Compassionate care is embedded into academic and clinical assessments, ensuring learners deliver high-quality care while understanding the emotional and spiritual needs of their patients.
A comprehensive human resources and talent management plan is critical to this initiative. This includes planning at the kulliyyah and departmental levels to ensure staffing aligns with workload, preventing burnout and maintaining morale. Training programmes will equip heads of departments and faculty members with essential human resource and leadership skills. Engagement with higher authorities will ensure adequate staffing and resource allocation, supporting both staff motivation and institutional efficiency.
Balanced Environment Development (Bi’ah Solehah)
Creating a bi’ah solehah, or a balanced environment, is central to KOM’s vision. This includes nurturing a harmonious and respectful atmosphere within the KOM community. The practice of spreading salam (greetings of peace) is strongly encouraged, inspired by the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“By Him in Whose Hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Promote greetings (Salam) amongst yourselves.” (Sahih Muslim)
Infrastructure development will align with this vision by creating green-certified buildings and adaptive digital tools that support physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. These efforts ensure KOM remains a leader in fostering an Islamic and ethical environment.
Sustainable Community and Planet
Recognising the interconnectedness of human and planetary well-being, KOM is committed to embedding sustainability into its operations and community engagement. Faculty-led transformation programmes will address pressing social challenges, fostering resilience and health equity in underserved communities.
KOM will enhance its Gender Dysphoria projects, Sejahtera Wellness in Tembeling (SWIT) initiative, and Food Security in Pahang projects, strengthening its engagement with the communities it serves. These initiatives highlight KOM’s commitment to addressing critical health and social issues while promoting sustainability and community well-being. The curriculum will further integrate planetary health topics, equipping learners with the knowledge to tackle global environmental challenges.
Responsible Research and Innovation
KOM places a strong emphasis on producing high-quality research and disseminating knowledge globally. Faculty members are encouraged to contribute their expertise to reputable medical journals, ensuring KOM’s academic excellence is recognised internationally. High-impact research initiatives will address critical healthcare challenges, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to drive innovation.
Innovation will be further promoted through the registration of intellectual property (IP) and the commercialisation of research outputs. These efforts aim to create tangible societal benefits by translating research outcomes into practical solutions, particularly in sustainable healthcare and planetary health.
Financial Sustainability and Shared Prosperity
KOM is committed to ensuring shared prosperity and financial sustainability to support its learners and community. Currently, KOM awards two scholarships that cover the tuition fees of two deserving learners, demonstrating its commitment to accessible education. Additionally, KOM has established the Tabung Penyayang, a fund dedicated to supporting the financial needs of other learners in the faculty. This initiative reflects the spirit of compassion and mutual assistance central to KOM’s mission.
To enhance financial sustainability, KOM plans to expand its trust fund development activities, aiming to generate RM1 million annually. Financial management training will be provided to departments to optimise resource use and efficiency. Further, KOM will continue to deepen partnerships with underserved communities through health outreach programmes, fostering equity and inclusivity.
A Vision for the Future
The KOM 2025–2030 Strategic Framework is a comprehensive and forward-thinking plan that positions the Kulliyyah as a leader in medical education. By aligning with the Tawhidic worldview, the framework redefines healthcare education to emphasise competence and compassion, while addressing the complexities of post-normal times.
Through its focus on academic excellence, talent development, balanced environment creation, sustainability, research innovation, and financial stability, KOM is well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern world. This framework reflects KOM’s unwavering dedication to the ummah, global society, and the planet, ensuring that its graduates are not only skilled professionals but also ethical leaders committed to serving humanity and fulfilling their divine responsibilities.