The platform will assist religious teachers who are also the Pekta and staff to strengthen their knowledge on Haj management
LEMBAGA Tabung Haji (TH) has signed a partnership with Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) to jointly develop the Haj e-Learning system.
Present during the signing ceremony was TH ED of Haj Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman while UTP was represented by research, innovation and commercialisation deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Shahir Liew.
The collaboration will see TH and UTP develop the world’s first Haj e-Learning system platform to help prospective pilgrims to learn and broaden their knowledge on Haj more effectively and easily, anytime and anywhere.
Simultaneously, the platform will assist religious teachers who are also the Homeland Haj Trainers (Pekta) and staff to strengthen their knowledge on Haj management and other related matters.
Additionally, the Haj e-Learning project is part of TH’s strategic plan initiative, HIJRAH24, to further boost Haj guidance via online platforms and to meet customers’ satisfaction, which is in line with the Haj Management Blueprint (2021-2025).
TH group MD and CEO Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin said the project involves an allocation of RM2 million and is an indirect cost borne by TH in addition to direct costs including Haj Financial Assistance which reaches RM300 million annually.
“The project would be developed into three phases with the second phase being developed into a web base which is expected to be launched at the end of May after which it will be developed into the application phase,” he said.
He also explained that the cost of performing Haj is expected to continue to increase due to factors such as rising prices of transportation, hotels and food and the implementation of standard operating procedures due to Covid-19.
During the last Haj season in 2019, the cost of Haj was RM22,900, and if it is allowed this year, the cost is estimated to be around RM25,540.
Additionally, he said for the current year (1443H) Haj season, TH will fully utilise the e-TAIB system or the Electronic Haj Worship Line for inquiries on the law of Haj to facilitate the congregation in the Holy Land.
Meanwhile, UTP Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib said UTP has been actively involved in various e-learning initiatives by combining an accurate pedagogy with the appropriate technology as well as micro-learning content to ensure an optimal learning experience for the targeted users.
“Through this collaboration, it can further encourage the development of products or softwares to strengthen the technology commercialisation which is in line with UTP’s vision to be a leader in technology education and a centre of excellence for creativity and innovation.
“As an MSC-status university, we also aim to be a partner, as well as the technology and digital solutions provider for the industry through our expertise, experience and research facilities that meet the industry needs and standards,” he added.
Also, through this collaboration, TH staff will be given the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at UTP to thrive in a sustainable manner through the sharing of skills and knowledge with UTP faculty members.
In 2020, TH implemented an online Haj guidance platform when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
In December last year, TH launched the e-TAIB application (Talian Ibadah-call centre) to facilitate pilgrims with questions about Haj activities, while in the Holy Land via live chat with religious teachers.
For more news on the TH and UTP’s partnership, please click:
