Charting New Directions for Muslims Universities (Editors: Hafiz Zakariya/ Fauziah Md. Taib)

With the advent of the new imperialism in the late 19th century, one after another Muslim country was officially either colonized or came under the influence of the major Western powers. This had a far-reaching impact on the Muslim world. It altered the political geography and replaced or transformed the indigenous politics, social, education and economic systems of the colonised countries. Unfortunately, even after the Muslim countries achieved independence, they continued to be influenced by the Western system legally, socially and educationally. In the sphere of education, liberation from imperialism often did not entail the creation of higher education based on indigenous tradition and values. To make matters worse, most of the secular leaders in the Muslim countries continued to borrow the Western models of higher education uncritically. This book brings together a collection of chapters on higher education in Muslim countries. Topics range from the philosophical and structural dimensions of higher education, reform of higher education, present achievements and gaps in the level of education and scientific research in Muslim countries, as well as ranking institutions of higher education. All seven chapters present useful insights on various issues of higher education in Muslim countries. Discussions from the chapters examine the current trends adopted by most Muslim countries and challenge readers to critically consider the coexistence of material and spiritual values in higher education, particularly from the Islamic perspectives. Equipped with such information, policy makers, researchers, university leaders and students can be better prepared to comprehend the major trends in higher education in Muslim countries.