By MOHD IZHAM BIN HASHIM
KOTA KINABALU: The United Sabah Islamic Association (USIA) is moving to modernise Islamic education in Sabah through the establishment of Kolej Kemahiran Islam Sabah (KKIS), which will integrate artificial intelligence (AI), technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and digital literacy into its core curriculum.
USIA president Datuk Sapawi Ahmad said the initiative, developed in collaboration with the Institut Kemahiran Islam Darul Ridzuan, aims to ensure that Islamic educational institutions keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
“We want to ensure students from tahfiz schools, madrasahs and Islamic education systems are not left behind in the digital age,” he said.
Speaking at the USIA Women’s Charity Night yesterday, Sapawi reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to human capital development, da’wah, education and community service.
“True development extends beyond physical progress and infrastructure; more importantly, it is about developing people and humanising humanity,” he said.
During the event, Toh Puan Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Faridah Tusin, wife of the Sabah Head of State and Patron of USIA Women, attended a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony celebrating USIA’s 57th anniversary. She was accompanied by Sapawi, Head of the USIA Women’s Wing Datuk Hajah Aminah Haji Aching, and USIA Women Vice-President cum Event Organizing Committee Chairperson Datin Seri Hajah Rokiah Haji Badar.
Sapawi also highlighted the significant role women have played in Sabah’s development, describing them as a cornerstone of USIA’s strength throughout its 57-year history.
Through their contributions to da’wah and education, women have helped shape Sabah’s socio-religious landscape, he said, citing an increase in the state’s Muslim population from 37 per cent to 70 per cent.
“Women possess immense strength because of their close connection with families, society and the younger generation,” he said, urging USIA Women to build on this influence to expand community outreach and educational initiatives.
To sustain these efforts, Sapawi called on members to engage more actively with young women and strengthen Puteri USIA as a platform for developing future leaders.
“Puteri USIA represents our leaders of tomorrow. If we want USIA to remain relevant over the next 20 to 30 years, we must start building young women today by equipping them with strong morals, leadership skills, AI literacy and modern competencies,” he said.
Sapawi said USIA had also formulated a Strategic Revitalisation Plan to strengthen governance, reactivate existing assets, expand da’wah and educational initiatives, and bring the organisation closer to younger generations.
“We do not want USIA to be remembered solely for its history but to continue making history for generations to come,” he said.
He added that USIA fully supported the government’s Malaysia MADANI and Sabah Maju Jaya initiatives, which aim to advance development and nurture a knowledgeable, morally grounded society.
Symbolic cake-cutting ceremony celebrating USIA’s 57th Anniversary with Toh Puan Faridah (4th from left), Aminah (3rd from right), and Sapawi (2nd from right).
