On Monday, 28 April 2025, the Islamic Social Finance Research Centre (ISF) of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) made a courtesy visit to the Zakat Academy (AZKA) at PPZ-Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) for an initial dialogue on potential collaboration. The visit was led by Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Shahrul Ifwat bin Ishak, Director of ISF.

A Step Towards Institutional Synergy

The purpose of the meeting was to explore and establish strategic academic and research-based collaborations in the field of Islamic Social Finance, particularly zakat, waqf, and related socio-economic empowerment efforts. The session included a presentation on the background and aspirations of ISF-UniSZA, followed by an open discussion on:

• Research collaboration in Islamic finance and zakat policy development

• Joint academic and professional training initiatives

• Student engagement, including industrial attachments and knowledge exchange

• Visibility efforts through platforms like the proposed “AZKA Corner” and co-branded outreach programmes

Shared Vision for Societal Impact

Both institutions share a commitment to advancing the ecosystem of Islamic social finance in Malaysia through rigorous research, academic development, and community engagement. The visit reflects the growing interest among academic institutions to partner with operational bodies like AZKA to translate theory into impactful practice, particularly in addressing real-world economic challenges through Islamic solutions.