KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry and Al-Azhar University in Egypt are in the final stages of amending the existing agreement to improve the implementation of the Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (STAM) curriculum and assessment.
Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said this was to ensure that STAM graduates were of high quality and were qualified to further their studies at the prestigious university for Islamic learning.
"In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to the Rabitah Antarabangsa Alumni al-Azhar Malaysia (WOAG Malaysia), who have helped the ministry in facilitating negotiations with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, including in matters pertaining to STAM."
He said this at the Al-Azhar Day celebration and breaking of fast at the Federal Territory Mosque here, today.
The event also celebrates the 10th anniversary of WOAG Malaysia.
Radzi said to improve Malaysian students' intake into Al-Azhar University, the government through the Education Ministry and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Egypt, had signed an academic and cultural Memorandum of Understanding on Nov 18, 1999.
It was through this agreement, he added, that the Education Ministry became responsible for conducting the STAM examinations in collaboration with Al-Azhar University.
"STAM graduates can use the certificate to apply to Al-Azhar University and other Malaysian higher education institutions in the Islamic Studies or Arabic language field," he said, adding that a total of 125,600 students had sat for the STAM examination from 2000 until 2020.
Radzi added that before STAM was introduced in 2000, religious secondary certificates were issued by state religious authorities separately.
He said students use the certificate to continue their studies at Al-Azhar University based on the relationship and understanding between the state government and Al-Azhar.
Meanwhile in the education sector, Radzi said the Malaysian Al-Azhar alumni had brought changes to the Islamic religious education system in the country.
"Among others, they have introduced the Azhari Curriculum used widely in state religious schools and private religious schools."
Also present at the event was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Idris Ahmad.