RM60 million to build Phase 3 of IPDAS Keningau
20 August 2024
KENINGAU: The Federal Government has approved an allocation of RM60 million for the construction of the 3rd phase of the Sabah Institute of Islamic Studies and Da'wah (IPDAS) in Keningau to accommodate an additional 300 students.
The Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, said that the ongoing construction is expected to be completed by March 2026, increasing the capacity of students that can be accommodated by IPDAS Keningau Campus to 700 students.
"I am confident that with the increase in the number of students, IPDAS will be equipped with trained and sufficient lecturers and staff to ensure that this project not only provides a more conducive infrastructure for the students and its employees, but also elevates the quality of education in Sabah even further."
"I warmly welcome the steps taken by the Federal Government through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) in enhancing the educational facilities in Sabah, especially IPDAS," he said at the 18th Convocation Ceremony of IPDAS in 2024 at Tun Sakaran Hall, IPDAS on Tuesday.
He believes that IPDAS, as an institution of Higher Education Provider (PPT) under JAKIM, is capable of shouldering the responsibility of nurturing a generation of educated Rabbani individuals, forming a human capital capable of serving as professional preachers within the community.
He said that the state government invites investors to come and invest in Sabah with the aim of enhancing economic growth, while simultaneously creating job opportunities for the youth.
According to him, this also exposes local youth to various types of training, including skills training, while encouraging the transfer of high technology to be utilized by the people of this state.
"This is actually an activity towards human capital development, as well as the development of the state's economy as outlined in the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Directional Policy advocated by the current state government," he said.
He mentioned that with foreign investors establishing factories, setting up business buildings, investing in various agricultural and industrial sectors, it will create job opportunities for the local youth.
He also stated that the state government will always ensure that the youth of this state can pursue their studies to higher levels through various initiatives provided.
He said that this aligns with the state government's goal of prioritizing education to produce competitive, skilled, and high-quality human capital.
"Only through knowledge, skills, and higher education can our children compete and succeed, thereby contributing to the development of society and Sabah in particular," he said.
Hajiji also reminded graduates who aspire to enter the workforce not to focus solely on choosing a job and desiring a high salary, as the present time is not like the past when job vacancies were always available to be filled.
He mentioned that the convocation ceremony is also a symbol of IPDAS's success in producing knowledgeable and devout individuals, on par with the achievements of other higher education institutions in the country.
Present during the event were the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Dato' Setia Dr. Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, State Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, State Secretary, Datuk Seri Panglima Sr. Safar Untong, Assistant State Minister of Works, Datuk Robert Tawik @ Nordin, and Assistant State Minister of Community Development and People's Well-being, Datuk Flovia Ng.
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