KUALA LUMPUR: Awqaf Holdings Bhd will consolidate Al-Hamra Integrated School with other key Islamic schools to form a private education chain with international syllabus.
Awqaf is a corporate endowment company founded by the late Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim with the vision to provide a platform for the ummah to contribute jariah through endowment instruments.
Awqaf said the consolidation of the RM6 million Al-Hamra school would create a stronger private Islamic education system that would be able to cater to parents who seek a balance between International-education with Islamic values.
The company said it had entered into an agreement with IHES Endowment Development Bhd to use the world-renowned Integrated Holistic Education System (IHES) for the schools under Awqaf.
"This collaboration aims to lead the way for stellar private Islamic English-based schools to form and operate under one banner, consolidating expertise, resources and also to empower Al-Hamra's ability to deliver impactful holistic Islamic education.
"This establishment will deliver a bigger and better institution featuring the IHES Framework which combines Cambridge syllabus and Islamic content," it said.
Awqaf deputy chairman Mohammad Sahar Mat Din said market studies had shown a demand for international education with a strong Islamic foundation among urban communities to nurture and inspire aspiring future leaders.
Mohammad Sahar said a strong extra-curriculum, which includes robotics, mental arithmetics and Mandarin as well as co-curriculum such as archery and silat, was led by an outstanding staff under its renowned principal, Sheikh Gabriel Keresztes.
"The merging of English-based Islamic schools using the IHES system will also open a new chapter for Awqaf through our subsidiary, Awqaf Education Sdn Bhd.
"With the consolidation of these schools, a new school with modern day facilities under Awqaf will be created providing holistic educational opportunities for future generations in line with the National Education Policy," he said.
Mihammad Sahar said it was important that the venture would be based on the corporate Waqf pillars.
"These will offer better, more impactful and holistic education, emphasizing continuous benefits to the community with quality world-class education for years to come - crucial for the development of tomorrow's future champions," he added.