The Design of an Effective Islamic Leadership Model for Higher Education in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

The aim of this study is to design an Effective Islamic Leadership model for higher education in Brunei Darussalam. The goal is to provide a framework to assist top-level managers in selecting academic leaders to lead faculties and centers in Brunei Darussalam’s higher education institutions. The study employs the Design and Developmental Research Approach introduced by Ritchey and Klien and is structured into three phases. The first phase involves a need analysis, which included a survey using a questionnaire administered to 27 middle-level managers in higher education and semi-structured interviews with 6 middle-level management at the selected universities. The aim of this phase is to assess the existing level of effective Islamic leadership characteristics among academic leaders and to identify the need for the design of an effective Islamic leadership model for higher education in Brunei Darussalam. Data obtained from this phase was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 software, and the results were interpreted based on mean values and standard deviation. The second phase focuses on model development and utilizes the Fuzzy Delphi Method approach. This involved gathering input from a panel of 7 experts. Data interpretation for this phase is based on the acceptance of the main components and elements of the model by the expert panel. Whereas the third phase evaluates the usability of the model through the involvement of 7 top level managers who act as model evaluators. The Fuzzy Delphi Method approach is also used in this phase. The acceptance score percentage value for each component and element needs to be above 75% to be considered appropriate and usable. The findings from the study indicate that there is a moderate level of effective Islamic leadership characteristics among academic leaders in Brunei Darussalam’s higher education institutions. This suggests an opportunity for enhancement in the qualities expected of academic leaders. Additionally, the study highlights the need for an Effective Islamic Leadership model due to the absence of a framework or guidelines for selecting academic leaders in higher education in Brunei Darussalam based on the literature review. The model resulting from the study comprises 5 main components, each containing specific elements. These components focus on characteristics such as knowledge, probity, competency, mildness, and mental and physical well-being. The evaluation of the model indicates that all main components and elements are at an appropriate level and can be utilized, as the acceptance score percentage meets the required conditions of being above 75%. Overall, the study demonstrates that the developed model can serve as a valuable guide for top-level management in the selection of academic leaders for faculties and centers in Brunei Darussalam’s higher education institutions.