KUALA LUMPUR: The historic bestowal of the rank and title of Royal Professor on Muslim philosopher and founder of the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (Istac) Tan Sri Dr Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas will serve as a catalyst and inspiration for the entire nation, particularly the academic community, says Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.
The Higher Education Minister expressed his hope that this honour would stimulate the development of scholarship and intellectual advancement in the country, thereby contributing to the elevation of the culture of knowledge in Malaysia.
With the bestowal of the title, the government also awarded a grant of RM500,000 to Syed Muhammad Naquib in recognition of his contributions to education.
"He is a highly respected and esteemed contemporary thinker of Islamic civilization both locally and internationally. He introduced the concept of the Islamisation of knowledge, which has been integrated into various branches of knowledge, including religious education, history, philosophy, theology, metaphysics, philology, semantics, literature, and arts," said Zambry at the conferment ceremony at Istana Negara on Wednesday (Oct 23).
His legacy is invaluable to the field of Malay literature and civilization studies.
In his introductory speech, Zambry noted that Syed Muhammad Naquib, 93, received his early education at the English College Johor Bahru, now known as Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar, in 1946.
He later earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Universiti Malaya in Singapore in 1957 before pursuing postgraduate studies at McGill University, Canada, in 1960 and the University of London, United Kingdom, in 1963.
Zambry also expressed profound gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, and the Conference of Rulers for consenting to the bestowal of the title of Royal Professor to Syed Muhammad Naquib.
He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government for initiating the proposal for the bestowal of the title.
Royal Professor is the highest and most esteemed professorship in Malaysia, bestowed by the King.
It is reserved for distinguished professors who have made valuable contributions to the people and the country.
The first and only person awarded the title previously was Syed Muhammad Naquib’s cousin, the late Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid, in 1978. – Bernama
