Open AccessSIGNIFICANCE OF LIFE PRINCIPLES WITH REFERENCE TO RELIGIONS, CULTURE, THE PRACTICE OF FAITH AND VISION OF THE WORLD AS A WHOLE (WORLDVIEW): THE MOTIVE OF MUSLIM ACADEMICS IN BUILDING UP A CAREER IN MALAYSIA
Author(s) -
Irma Wani Othman,
Romzi Ationg,
Mohd Sohaimi Esa,
Mohd Nur Hidayat Hasbollah Hajimin,
Abang Mohd Razif Abang Muis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of law, government and communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0128-1763
DOI - 10.35631/ijlgc.623006
Subject(s) - expatriate , islam , sociology , faith , context (archaeology) , islamic culture , qualitative research , public relations , gender studies , political science , social science , law , paleontology , philosophy , theology , biology
The Islamic world and the significance of careers to Muslim expatriate academics have a correlation with the individual’s living beliefs to contribute to society and the religion itself. As a country that recognises Islam as the official religion, Malaysia has its own uniqueness when it places emphasis by offering study programmes based on the concept of Islam according to Quran and Sunnah. The element of reviving the concept of Islamic learning succeeded in attracting a community of Muslim expatriate academics to come and work in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is designed to identify the motives considered by Muslim expatriate groups when choosing a career destination in Malaysian Public Universities. A qualitative approach that utilises in-depth interviews was conducted on 30 Muslim expatriates working in four selected public universities in the country. By applying thematic analysis, the results of the study found that the three main motives that catalyses the arrival of Muslim expatriate academics to Malaysian Public Universities are 1) The principle of life based on Islam as a religion of faith; 2) The tendency of the family is in the life of the majority of the Muslim community and 3) Career in the context of the privilege of offering the concept of Islamic studies programmes in Malaysian Public Universities. The findings of this study are useful for formulating an internationalisation policy with a religious background as a principle of career development. The direction of this study can be extended to focus on university governance and policy based on Islamic higher education. The interconnectedness of the majority Malaysians who are Muslim justifies the country’s public universities to plan strategically and be competitive in ensuring Islamic studies as one of the components enshrined in the national higher education agenda.