PUTRAJAYA: For its holistic approach towards Islamic studies and the Arabic language, the Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) is becoming an increasingly popular choice among Muslim students in Malaysia and Southeast Asian countries.
Announcing the 2016 achievement for the Arabic-based international exam, pioneered by the Malaysian Education Ministry and the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Egypt, Datin Nawal Salleh, the Malaysian Examination Board director said that 2016 has proven to be a great success for STAM.
“We have managed to introduce STAM to Islamic schools in the ASEAN countries, particularly Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines. Response has been good.”
She added that two per cent of the 6,000 students sitting for the STAM last year were from overseas and these foreign students were only required to pay a fraction of the cost for the internationally recognised examination.
“The exam papers are set by the Malaysian Examination Board and the Al-Azhar University. We help run the exam centres in their home countries with the local mufti (Muslim legal experts) offices too,” said Nawal.
Contrary to popular belief, STAM is a good way to curb religious extremism, said Nawal.
“We provide a wholesome approach to Islamic studies. Our students do not just learn about the Quran, the holy books, the Sunnah (legal ways of the Prophet), Islamic beliefs, Islamic laws and the interpretations, but they are also able to relate what they have studied to their everyday life and these questions are reflected in their exam papers,” explained Nawal.
Recognised by the Public Service Department (JPA), STAM candidates are also widely accepted into top universities like Al-Azhar University, International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).
“Our top scorers have not just become Muslim clergies. Some of them have become Arabic linguistic experts, Syariah lawyers and medical professional,” enthused Nawal.
First introduced in Malaysia in 2000, STAM which comprises 10 core subjects was designed based on the international curriculum of the Al-Azhar University. The acclaimed Egyptian university has also allocated between 500 and 700 seats per year to top STAM scorers from Malaysia.
STAM students are given a three-year grace period to repeat their papers if they fail any subjects.
The upcoming STAM exam results will be out this Thursday.