The International Islamic University Malaysia, also known as IIUM or UIAM, is a public publicly funded university in Malaysia. Its main campus is located in Gombak, Selangor with its Centre for Foundation Studies situated in Petaling Jaya and its medical-centric branch in Kuantan, Pahang. The university is sponsored by eight different governments from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It is completely distinct from the International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan and International Islamic University in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
The University was established in 23 May 1983, founded on Islamic principles with the aim to become the premier Islamic university in the world. It was meant to be a comprehensive international high education institution, ''inspired by the world-view of Tawhid and the Islamic philosophy of the unity of knowledge as well as its concept of holistic education''. Islamic values are inculcated into all disciplines. At present, the University offers various bachelor, master's degree and Phd courses at its 13 faculties, also known as kulliyyah.
The idea of an international Islamic education institution was first conceived in 1982 by the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad during a special meeting between OIC leaders to establish an international institution for tertiary education based on Islamic principles, known as the Islamization of knowledge.
The university's language of instruction was to be English and Arabic, and many of its students would have to come from overseas. As Malaysian law did not allow for this, IIUM was incorporated under the Companies Act of 1965. Thus it became the first international university and the first university in Malaysia to use English as the medium of instruction and administration.
Towards actualising the University's vision, IIUM endeavours to:
• Undertake the special and greatly needed task of reforming the contemporary Muslim mentality and integrating Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences in a positive manner.
• Produce better quality intellectuals, professionals and scholars by integrating the qualities of faith (iman), knowledge (`ilm), and good character (akhlaq) to serve as agents of comprehensive and balanced progress as well as sustainable development in Malaysia and in the Muslim world.
• Foster the Islamization of the ethics of Muslim academic and administrative staff of IIUM, and certain aspects of human knowledge- particularly in the social sciences and humanities- with the view to making them more useful and more relevant to the Muslim Ummah.
• Nurture the quality of holistic excellence which is imbued with Islamic moral-spiritual values in the process of learning, teaching, research, consultancy, publication, administration, and student life.
• To exemplify an international community of dedicated intellectuals, scholars, professionals, officers and workers who are motivated by the Islamic world-view and code of ethics as an integral part of their work culture.
• To enhance intercultural understanding and foster civilization dialogues in Malaysia as well as across communities and nations.
• To develop an environment which instills commitment for life-long learning, and a deep sense of social responsibility amongst staff and students