• Universal Quality Mindset: Bridging Cultures

    Can the concept of a “quality mindset” be universally understood across cultures and belief systems? The answer is both enlightening and reassuring — yes, it can. A closer look at Western quality philosophy and Islamic teachings reveals a strong convergence of principles grounded in excellence, responsibility, and continuous improvement. Understanding the Quality Mindset A quality…

  • Rethinking University Rankings: A Reflection on Reputation and Visibility

    Are university rankings such as QS too perception-based and not objective, and how can they be made more objective? This was what I asked ChatGPT. Beyond Objectivity: What Do Rankings Really Measure? University rankings, particularly widely cited ones such as QS, are often presented as objective measures of institutional quality. However, a closer examination reveals…

  • 2026 – FOR MUSLIMS ONLY

    One year has past and its time to review and evaluate your achievements in life. There are many things you want to achieve in life, but if you have not thought about these targets, then you should. Ask your self what you have sacrificed for things you run after. Are you chasing for more power,…

  • High-Context Communication in Japan: A Cultural Insight

    Japan is recognised as a high-context society. What is high context? It is where communication extends far beyond words we speak but many other ways. In high-context cultures, meaning is conveyed through the use of body language, silence, social setting, tone of voice, and shared understanding rather than direct verbal expression alone. For people who…

  • The Future of Digital Identity and Privacy

    Everything can be digitized, and digitalized. we live in a digitized and digitalized world today. Living, working, traveling has impacted tremendously all without even noticing how governments and businesses all over world are capturing our personal data of faces, finger prints, shapes, sizes at the point of entry, exit, using AI mother tongue language translation…

  • Exploring Wastefulness: Islamic Mubazzir and Japanese Mottainai

    The common concepts between the two cultures must be seen as areas for co-existence and sharing for the good of humankind. Let’s start to learn and apply them where possible. 1. Meaning and Origin Mubazzir (مُبَذِّر)In Islam, mubazzir refers to a person who wastes or squanders resources unnecessarily. The Qur’an explicitly condemns wastefulness: “Indeed, the…

  • Discovering Purpose: Islamic Niyyah Meets Japanese Ikigai

    The Islamic perspective of intention (niyyah) with the Japanese concept of ikigai have many common features which could be of benefit to everyone. Comparison made here with examples of daily and professional life as university lecturers and a typical Japanese salarymen. 1. Embracing the Islamic Perspective: Niyyah (Intention) as the Foundation of Purpose In Islam,…

  • Understanding Hard-working vs Working Hard in Japan

    In Japan, both “working hard” and “hard-working” carry significant cultural weight, reflecting traditional values of diligence, perseverance, and collective effort. They are rooted in Japan’s work ethic, which emphasizes dedication to one’s role and contribution to the group. What do you know about them? It is important to know the differences to achieving better performance…

  • Your Roadmap to Career Success: The PDMC Framework

    Those starting their career should realize that your success is a long journey. The journey you design can determine success, and continued success. This journey to success should begin with a clear and realistic dream of what you want to be or what you want to end up being as what Steven Covey said to…

  • Assignment Brief: Developing Global Market Strategies for Borneo Apong Golden Syrup

    BackgroundResearchers at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak have developed a new and modern technique for producing a kind of syrup from apong of the nipa palm enabling a highly consistent, high-quality Golden Syrup. This innovation has been commercialized through a cooperative scheme run by a company appointed by cooperative known as Apong Resources Sdn. Bhd. Through this…