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Waqf and Zakat as Philanthropic Fundraising Instruments in Higher Education: Evidence from Malaysian Public Research Universities

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Title: Waqf and Zakat as Philanthropic Fundraising Instruments in Higher Education: Evidence from Malaysian Public Research Universities
Language: English
Authors: M. M. Mohd Sadiq, M. I. Rohayati, H. P. S. Abdul Khalil, M. S. Shaharudin
Source: Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction. 2025 22(2):94-117.
Availability: Universiti Utara Malaysia Press. UUM Press, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 08010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. Tel: +60-4-928-4816; Fax: +60-4-928-4792; e-mail: uumpress@uum.edu.my; Web site: https://e-journal.uum.edu.my/index.php/mjli
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Research Universities, Public Colleges, Fund Raising, Foreign Countries, Educational Finance, Islam, Private Financial Support
Geographic Terms: Malaysia
ISSN: 1675-8110
2180-2483
Abstract: Purpose: Since 2008, government funding for higher education institutions (HEIs) has declined globally, resulting in reduced quality, higher tuition fees, and increased reliance on philanthropic contributions. This issue has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting many PHEIs to turn to philanthropic fundraising. This study explores how Malaysian public research universities (MRUs) utilise Islamic philanthropic instruments--specifically waqf and zakat--to support student teaching and learning. It examines the successes and challenges of these initiatives and proposes a framework for optimising the use waqf and zakat as sustainable fundraising strategies in Malaysian public higher education institutions (PHEIs). Methodology: A qualitative case study approach was employed. In-depth interviews (both in-person and online) were conducted with nine informants from five selected MRUs, representing four key roles: vice chancellor, bursar/chief financial controller, director of university advancement office/waqf centre, and university legal advisor. Thematic analysis was conducted using both deductive and inductive coding informed by existing literature and emerging themes. Findings: The study revealed two major outcomes: (1) MRUs have successfully mobilised waqf and zakat for fundraising, and (2) these funds have been effectively channelled to enhance teaching, learning and student welfare. Two categories of challenges were also identified: general challenges, such as weak culture of giving and limitations within the tax regime; and specific challenges linked to governance and management of zakat, waqf, and university foundations ("yayasan"). The study proposes several initiatives to improve financial sustainability, including public awareness campaigns, tax policy reforms, strategic collaborations with State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs), and formalised agreements on fund allocation. Significance: This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on Islamic philanthropic fundraising in higher education. The insights provided offer practical implications for Malaysian PHEIs seeking to enhance financial sustainability through waqf and zakat. In doing so, it supports the broader objective of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on inclusive and equitable quality education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1480015
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Waqf and Zakat as Philanthropic Fundraising Instruments in Higher Education: Evidence from Malaysian Public Research Universities
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22M%2E+M%2E+Mohd+Sadiq%22">M. M. Mohd Sadiq</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22M%2E+I%2E+Rohayati%22">M. I. Rohayati</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22H%2E+P%2E+S%2E+Abdul+Khalil%22">H. P. S. Abdul Khalil</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22M%2E+S%2E+Shaharudin%22">M. S. Shaharudin</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Malaysian+Journal+of+Learning+and+Instruction%22"><i>Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction</i></searchLink>. 2025 22(2):94-117.
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  Data: Universiti Utara Malaysia Press. UUM Press, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 08010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. Tel: +60-4-928-4816; Fax: +60-4-928-4792; e-mail: uumpress@uum.edu.my; Web site: https://e-journal.uum.edu.my/index.php/mjli
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  Data: 24
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+Universities%22">Research Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Colleges%22">Public Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fund+Raising%22">Fund Raising</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Finance%22">Educational Finance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Islam%22">Islam</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Private+Financial+Support%22">Private Financial Support</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Malaysia%22">Malaysia</searchLink>
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  Data: 1675-8110<br />2180-2483
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: Since 2008, government funding for higher education institutions (HEIs) has declined globally, resulting in reduced quality, higher tuition fees, and increased reliance on philanthropic contributions. This issue has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting many PHEIs to turn to philanthropic fundraising. This study explores how Malaysian public research universities (MRUs) utilise Islamic philanthropic instruments--specifically waqf and zakat--to support student teaching and learning. It examines the successes and challenges of these initiatives and proposes a framework for optimising the use waqf and zakat as sustainable fundraising strategies in Malaysian public higher education institutions (PHEIs). Methodology: A qualitative case study approach was employed. In-depth interviews (both in-person and online) were conducted with nine informants from five selected MRUs, representing four key roles: vice chancellor, bursar/chief financial controller, director of university advancement office/waqf centre, and university legal advisor. Thematic analysis was conducted using both deductive and inductive coding informed by existing literature and emerging themes. Findings: The study revealed two major outcomes: (1) MRUs have successfully mobilised waqf and zakat for fundraising, and (2) these funds have been effectively channelled to enhance teaching, learning and student welfare. Two categories of challenges were also identified: general challenges, such as weak culture of giving and limitations within the tax regime; and specific challenges linked to governance and management of zakat, waqf, and university foundations ("yayasan"). The study proposes several initiatives to improve financial sustainability, including public awareness campaigns, tax policy reforms, strategic collaborations with State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs), and formalised agreements on fund allocation. Significance: This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on Islamic philanthropic fundraising in higher education. The insights provided offer practical implications for Malaysian PHEIs seeking to enhance financial sustainability through waqf and zakat. In doing so, it supports the broader objective of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on inclusive and equitable quality education.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1480015
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Research Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Colleges
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      – SubjectFull: Fund Raising
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Finance
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      – SubjectFull: Islam
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      – SubjectFull: Private Financial Support
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      – SubjectFull: Malaysia
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