Author: Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad

IIS Holds Thesis Writing Seminar

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 11 Sep 2025

The UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) hosted another capacity-building activity entitled “Seminar on Graduate Thesis Writing and Academic Integrity: Tools, Tips, and Ethical Practice.” The activity was held on September 3, 2025, in Room 300, Virata Hall, UP Institute of Small-Scale Industries Building, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Ms. Margarette Manalastas, Senior Project Assistant of the Research, Publication, and Extension Division (RPED), explained that the seminar is part of the Academic Research Utilization for Graduate Advancement (ARUGA) program under the Internal Quality Resilience Agenda (IQRA). Now in its second installation, the seminar aims to strengthen research skills and engagement of UP IIS students by providing relevant instructions, guidelines, and regulations.

Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, College Secretary of UP IIS, emphasized the significance of having a “mentor” for research writing. He mentioned that previous UP IIS students, particularly those working on their thesis, were not as fortunate as the current group. There were no workshops on research writing, and students solely depended on their research course. He also stated that “learning” is a lifelong process and is innate in humans due to their tendency to forget. Therefore, seminars on research and similar topics serve as crucial reminders during a student’s academic experience.

There were two resource speakers invited for the seminar: Asst. Prof. Yhna Therese Santos, Assistant Professor at the UP School of Library and Information Science (UP SLIS) and the Chair of UP Diliman’s Task Force for Research Integrity, who presented on “Thesis Writing Tools and Tips,” and Mr. Ahmadgaid Al Asaad, Manager of Advanced Analytics at Johnson & Johnson Philippines and alumnus of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, who covered “Plagiarism, Turnitin, and AI.”

Asst. Prof. Santos, the first resource speaker, presented an overview on thesis writing, some tips as the process of writing goes on, some information on AI, and relevant information on Arabic translation and transliteration. Mr. Al Asaad, the second resource speaker, discussed plagiarism by contrasting his experience as a student of Statistics and of Islamic Studies, and highlighted the ethical use of Turnitin and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The seminar was attended by UP IIS faculty, staff, and students, along with participants via Zoom.

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Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Visits the UP IIS

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 22 Aug 2025

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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.

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Indonesian Dignitaries Visit the UP IIS

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 19 Aug 2025

A delegation from the Advanced Education for National Leaders Program of the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia (LEMHANNAS) visited the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) as part of their Overseas Strategic Study Program. The academic engagement was held on August 14, 2025, at Room 300, Virata Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. The visit aimed to provide the Indonesian participants with a deeper understanding and broader perspective on national policies implemented by Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.

Representing UP IIS, Asst. Prof. Darwin Absari, College Secretary, delivered a series of lectures on relevant topics, including (a) Islam in Nation-Building: The Role of Filipino Muslims in Shaping the Philippine Republic; (b) Unity in Diversity: The Place of Islam in the Political Tapestry of the Philippines; and (c) Empowering the Nation: Islamic Political Participation and the Quest for Inclusive Governance.

He also discussed ongoing and emerging developments in Muslim affairs in the Philippines, particularly the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (PD 1083), the expansion of Shari’ah Courts, the growth of the Halal industry, and the advancement of Islamic Banking and Finance.

During the open forum, the LEMHANNAS delegation engaged Prof. Absari on various topics, such as the integration of social sciences into Islamic curricula, academic collaboration between UP IIS and Indonesian universities, and the role of civil society in Muslim affairs. The delegation likewise expressed interest in pursuing academic partnerships with UP IIS, to which Prof. Absari affirmed the Institute’s openness to future collaborations.

The academic visit was organized in cooperation with the UP Office of International Linkages (UP OIL) and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Manila. The delegation was composed of 38 participants of the Advanced Education for National Leaders Program.

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UP IIS Holds Student Orientation for First Semester AY 2025–2026

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 18 Aug 2025

On August 13, 2025, the Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) at the University of the Philippines Diliman conducted its Student Orientation for the First Semester of Academic Year 2025–2026. The event was held in a hybrid format—via Zoom and onsite at Room 300, Virata Hall, Institute for Small-Scale Industries (ISSI), UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The orientation formally welcomed new, continuing, and returning students. Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, Dean of UP IIS, underscored that studying at the University is not merely an academic pursuit but also a transformative journey that fosters a balanced, compassionate, respectful, and inclusive understanding of Islam and the Muslim world. He encouraged students to remain open to diverse perspectives and to carry these values beyond the university as they navigate real-world challenges.

Asst. Prof. Darwin J. Absari, College Secretary of IIS, led the program’s information-sharing segment for students in the Master of Arts in Islamic Studies (MAIS) Program. He was joined by representatives from various IIS offices, including the Research, Publication, and Extension Division, and the IIS Library, who provided essential guidance on academic and administrative matters.

In line with UP’s commitment to academic excellence, students were reminded of the importance of upholding academic integrity. Recognizing the growing role of artificial intelligence in higher education, the Institute reinforced its measures to ensure originality and ethical scholarship. Academic papers will continue to undergo screening through Turnitin, which includes similarity and AI-detection tools. This practice aims to strengthen students’ sense of ownership of their work while honing their skills in proper citation and referencing.

The orientation concluded with an open forum, during which students raised questions and concerns that were addressed by Prof. Absari. He assured the participants that the Office of the College Secretary remains committed to supporting them throughout their MAIS journey.

The Student Orientation is an annual institutional activity designed to guide and equip IIS students as they pursue their academic and scholarly endeavors.

News & Archives

2025 Special Shari’ah Bar Examinations Passers

Post author By Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad
Post date 26 Jul 2025

On July 25, 2025, the Supreme Court of the Philippines announced the results of the 2025 Special Shari’ah Bar Examinations. Out of 628 examinees, 154 passed, with a passing rate of 24.48%.

Two current students from the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) were among the passers, including Ms. Marianne Esther G. Aniceto-Guinomal, who ranked 5th overall.

Twenty-six other passers joined the UP IIS and RAISS Online Shari’ah Review held from January 29 to May 9, 2025. Five of them made it to the top 10:

Mae Joyce S. Magbanua-Anjalin – Top 3
Sittie Ayra Y. Abedin – Top 6
Norhaya A. Lago – Top 7
Al-Fatah P. Abdullah – Top 8
Ayinie B. Basher – Top 10

The UP IIS-RAISS Online Shari’ah Review will be held every year as part of the Institute’s extension programs. This supports UP IIS’s goal to make Shari’ah education more accessible to the Muslim community.

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