TOWARDS HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS: A MAQĀṢID AL-SHARĪ‘AH AND SDGS (SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS) TRANS-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA (IIUM)

Abstract

This paper aims to show how the Department of Uṣūl al-dīn and Comparative Religion attempts to promote and achieve holistic development and well-being of its students by applying the trans-disciplinary approach through spirituality and an integrated education. In the educational structure of IIUM this approach aims to integrate religious or revealed sciences with human and natural sciences. This paper first examines and analyses the learning outcomes and objectives of two courses offered by the Department from their official course outlines. Subsequently, the responses of three students about the courses which they have undertaken are evaluated. In addition, accounts of their academic and personal developments in terms of goals as well as expectations for the future are presented to reflect holistic development and well-being. The findings have shown that the learning outcomes correspond with the goals of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah and SDGs trans-disciplinary approach. The findings also indicated there appears to be a correspondence between the objectives and learning outcomes of the course and what the students said they have gained from the course. This correspondence indicates the courses are successful in promoting holistic development and well-being in the students. Lastly, the students’ accounts of their individual journey towards success and happiness also constitute elements of holistic development and well-being. The unique feature of these success stories is that they could be attainable by every student who undergoes an educational curriculum and system in IIUM.