The Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) in the University of the Philippines Diliman welcomed H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castellino, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia, together with select staff from the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila, last August 20, 2025.
The Ambassador focused his talk by proposing to strengthen collaboration in areas such as Halal industry, Shari’ah law, Islamic banking and finance, furthering educational ties, academic and research collaborations, developing the tourism industry, and promoting a better understanding of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.
Dean Wadi seconded on the Ambassador’s proposal as those areas (Shari’ah, Halal, and Islamic Finance) have been pushed as IIS flagship program focus since his reappointment as the new dean of the Institute. Accordingly, such proposal is geared to grow anew as Malaysia and the Philippines have enjoyed long historical relations, particularly with the University of the Philippines. On March 02, 2023, UP granted an honorary award of 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘢 to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In the past, according to Dean Wadi, 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘬 𝘚𝘳𝘪 Anwar Ibrahim used to visit UP and the Institute and had forged a strong friendship with Dr. Cesar Adib Majul, the first dean of the Institute of Islamic Studies.
This visit of Amb. Castellino and his delegation aims to further strengthen Philippine-Malaysia relations, where UP and IIS are expected to play a crucial role in the above-mentioned areas, including exploring faculty and student exchange programs, scholarship and research grants, educational tourism, and other cultural development projects.
Dean Wadi updated the Ambassador about collaboration research projects between IIS and the International Institute of Islamic Thought-Malaysia, including an increasing number of UP and IIS alumni getting their PhDs in Malaysian universities.
Ambassador Abdulmalik proposed that Malaysian students should also be encouraged to study in UP, including IIS. Dean Wadi reinforced his proposal, where he discussed UP’s strength in both Natural and Social Sciences. In particular, Dean Wadi emphasized that the IIS curriculum is characterized by wasatiyah (balance) between perspectives in Islamic thought, embracing both classical and modern areas and those in the Social Sciences.
He also informed the Ambassador of his recent visit to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and his participation in the forthcoming 2nd International Summit of Religious Leaders in Selangor, Malaysia, organized by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Muslim World League.
