Yala Islamic University Introduction

Some of us may not be aware that there is a private Islamic university run by a group of local Muslims in Patani, Southern Thailand. The university is one of the most well known among Muslims in Thailand and in neighbouring countries. The establishment of Yala Islamic University (YIU) took a long process of struggle and commitment of local Muslims. Patani Muslims are committed to fulfill and realize a vision of having their own place of higher education. It is also to regain the Patani’s credibility and popularity as the cradle of Islamic education in southeast Asian region in last century particularly traditional Islamic school known as pondok.

The university becomes a popular study centre for both local students and foreigners. The Yala Islamic University, known as Kulliyah among the locals, was set up in 1998 by a group of young and dedicated Muslim academicians who were trained from local and overseas universities, local community leaders and politicians. Formerly known as Yala Islamic College, the university was upgraded to university level and renamed Yala Islamic University in 2007 by Thai authority.

YIU is the first Islamic private university in Thailand. YIU has been growing steadily both in academics sphere and in term of student population. The management is trying hard to enhance and improve its all branches of knowledge in order to reach its vision that is to be a “world class provider of knowledge” to the ummah. Its graduates are among the most sought-after by employers looking for skilled and professional workers who are committed to good Islamic moral and ethical values. The university main objective is to provide a higher level of education both in Islamic education including modern science and technology to Muslim students. YIU is proud of its success in giving a choice to local Muslim students to continue their Islamic studies at university level in their own country.

Traditionally, local Muslims would send their children to take up Islamic course in Middle East particularly at Al Azhar in Egypt and Madinah University in Saudi Arabia. YIU has a close ties with Thai government, Islamic Development Bank (IDB), a Saudi-based bank, Islamic Relief Organization, the Government of Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE). With such cooperation and assistance, YIU becomes one of the most acclaimed university in the region. YIU is a member of the Federation of the Universities of Islamic World ( FUIW). After its inception in 1999, the first group of 200 students had enrolled at YIU old campus in Yala province. At that time there were only two faculties made available to the students namely the Faculty of Shari’ah and Faculty of Usul al Din. Now, YIU has a total of 3,000 students.

There are about 100 foreign students from China, Cambodia, Iran, Malaysia and Sudan. In 2005, YIU offered Post Graduates Studies in Faculty of Arts (Shari’ah and Islamic History & Civilization) to provide an opportunity for students to further their studies in post graduate level in this particular discipline. There are four faculties at YIU namely Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Science, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Faculty Education. Besides, one institute known as Al-Salam Institute which plays a significant role in promoting peace and providing help and services to Muslim community in the area. For further details, please contact: Dr Ismail Lutfi Chapakeya Rector Yala Islamic University Khaotum, Yarang Pattani 94160 South Thailand Tel: 073 418 613 Fax: 073 418 615 Email: yiu@yiu.ac

Information from:www.riseap.org/2010/11/yala-islamic-university