Update on Singapore Islamic College and Postgraduate Certificate in Islam in Contemporary Societies Programme

15 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (a) whether he can provide an update on the Singapore Islamic College and its tie-in with the Postgraduate Certificate in Islam in Contemporary Societies (PCICS) programme, including its take-up rate and efficacy; and (b) whether any changes will be made to the PCICS programme in terms of (i) duration (ii) content and (iii) accessibility.

The Minister for Social and Family Development and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M): Mr Deputy Speaker, the first cohort of the Postgraduate Certificate in Islam in Contemporary Societies (PCICS) programme enrolled in April 2020. The one-year programme has since enrolled three cohorts for a total of 132 returning religious graduates.

The joint academic committee, comprising senior Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) representatives and faculty members from the University partners, namely National University of Singapore, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Al Azhar University and University of Jordan, observed that the first PCICS cohort performed well despite the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on feedback from the first cohort of students, 70% felt that learning outcomes across modules were achieved and they reported a positive learning experience.

MUIS will be making several improvements to the PCICS. These include strengthening English and Arabic language support for students and introducing more opportunities for practical applied learning so that students can have more hands-on experiences before they enter the workforce.

The first cohort of PCICS students will be graduating this year and MUIS will continue to engage them to assess how the PCICS has helped prepare them for employment as asatizah.

The PCICS is an important precursor to our longer-term plan to establish a tertiary level institution of Islamic studies. It enables MUIS to build up experience and a body of knowledge to develop a curriculum for tertiary studies in collaboration with international partners.

In addition, MUIS launched the Research Programme on Communities of Success (RPCS) in June 2021 to grow its capabilities. The research programme aims to develop knowledge on emerging socio-religious issues experienced by minority Muslim communities living in secular states and advanced economies.

The PCICS and RPCS will enable MUIS to build a strong foundation to develop respected religious leaders that will guide our Muslim community to thrive in Singapore, contributing to our community of success.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Dr Wan Rizal.

Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar): Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for the update on the PCICS and the Singapore Islamic College.

My first supplementary question is with regard to the graduates themselves and the current programme, whether we can include internship programmes within this course where they are given opportunities to go into the community to do some social service or work where they can acclimatise themselves further into our society.

My second supplementary question is with regard to a series of discussions I conducted with current students overseas, mainly in Jordan and Egypt. Generally, they are receptive and supportive of the course but they also shared some concerns. One of them is that the course, being a year long, they are wondering whether part of it, since there is an online element, could be done when they are studying overseas. In this way, when they come back, it cuts down the course duration and they can get into the workforce sooner.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The PCICS is a programme that was co-created by the community of asatizah and was led by Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, then Senior Minister of State, when he chaired the Committee on Future Asatizah (COFA). In fact, we got 1,900 participants to contribute to the ideas, content and so forth.

What we have today is quite new. But I think the most important thing to preserve is the rigour of the curriculum. I agree with the Member that we do have to have some elements of internship but we do have to balance that with the justifiable comment that the length of the course must also be not just adequate but also appropriate.

Being the first run of the PCICS this year, we will definitely have to review and look at what will be best for our community, the outcomes of the PCICS as well as take in the interests of the students and their future. We will update Members later when there are new developments as we run a few more terms of the PCICS and after more cohorts have graduated from the course.