Perlis: The Faizuddin Centre of Educational Excellence (FCoEE) is empowering asnaf (eligible for tithe) students in Perlis with knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence (AI), as well as science and technology, to nurture their interest in these fields from the school level.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, FCoEE Research and Internationalisation Reference expert Dr. Bibi Noraini Mohd Yusof stated that for almost three years, FCoEE has been proactively implementing various programmes, including workshops in collaboration with institutions of higher education (IPTs) such as Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK).
During that period, Bibi Noraini, who is also a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Business and Communication at UniMAP, mentioned that 407 school students in the state had benefited from the AI and science and technology programmes and workshops. "This was aimed at nurturing the interest of asnaf students in technology and AI. For example, we organised exposure workshops in collaboration with IPTs, with experts from these institutions sharing their experience, expertise, and knowledge with asnaf students in Perlis," she said.
She shared this information with the Malaysian media during the International Conference on Next-Generation Technologies 2026 (NEXT-D), organised by FCoEE at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU). FCoEE executive chairman Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Kamarudin Hussin also attended the Sept 12-14 NEXT-D conference, which gathered 200 leading researchers, industry experts, and postgraduate students from various countries.
Bibi Noraini was also among the speakers at NEXT-D, where she presented a paper entitled "Reimagining Zakat For The Digital Age: The FCoEE AI-Driven Human Capital Empowerment and Development (AHEAD) Framework For Perlis Asnaf." She elaborated that the effort had produced positive results, with asnaf students showing increasing interest and motivation to participate in innovation and robotics competitions, with some even emerging as champions after applying knowledge gained through FCoEE-organised workshops.
She indicated that FCoEE's efforts were aimed at preparing students to meet the future job market in the country, which would require expertise in AI, science, and technology. "The FCoEE will continue to organise various programmes related to AI and technology for students and the asnaf group, while also educating parents on why their children should venture into these fields, particularly to meet the demands of our job market, which is facing a critical shortage of workers in these areas," she added.
Bibi Noraini noted that the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs), through the FCoEE, had allocated appropriate holistic assistance for the implementation of asnaf empowerment programmes in these fields to ensure they are not left behind, especially in the rapidly developing digital era.