Norarfan Zainal

Norarfan bin Zainal (born 19 March 1973) is an academician and educator from Brunei who served as the rector of Sultan Sharif Ali Islamic University (UNISSA) since 2014. Additionally, he is a member of Islamic Council of Brunei Darussalam and a council member of the Seri Begawan Religious Teachers University College (KUPU SB).

Early life and education Norarfan bin Haji Zainal was born on 19 March 1973, in Brunei Darussalam. He pursued his studies, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Hadith from Al-Azhar University, Egypt from 1992 to 1996. He continued his academic journey by obtaining a Master of Arts in Akidah from Al al-Bayt University, Jordan from 2000 to 2002, and later a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Usuluddin and Comparative Religion from the International Islamic University of Malaysia from 2005 to 2009. In light of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Norarfan met with Mehmet Suat Akgὕn, the Turkish Ambassador to Brunei, on 1 June, to discuss possible academic cooperation between UNISSA and Turkish universities.

In February 2020, Norarfan headed a trip to Russia, where he met with important government and religious figures and signed MoU with the Dagestan Institute of Humanities and Kunta-Haji Russian Islamic University.

In late 2023 and early 2024, the UNISSA's faculties and other events raised B$13,000 for the Humanitarian Fund for Palestinians in Gaza 2023, which Norarfan Zainal gave to Minister Nazmi. Later in February, he traveled to Al-Azhar University for the International Conference of Kitab Turats and Its Challenges in the Malay Realm. There, he gave a keynote address about the importance of Turat studies in Brunei, which is led by the Sultan. In order to work together on industry training, internships, and academic programs related to human capital development in Islamic finance, he and PT Fin Centerindo Satu (FIN SATU) of Indonesia signed a MoU.

On 5 July 2024, in his capacity as the 15th KAIB Steering Committee Chairman, greeted the Sultan at the Borneo Islamic International Conference. In his speech, he underlined the purpose of the conference, which is to promote a sustainable Islamic community by fostering information exchange and cross-sector collaboration to accomplish Sustainable Development Goals. On 27 August, Norarfan and Kolej International Graduate Studies (KIGS) inked a memorandum of agreement with the goal of promoting higher education while maintaining MIB principles and preparing students for success in the classroom and in the workplace in the future.

Other works In the scholarly realm, he has authored many works on faith, education, and Islamic civilisation. He has also actively participated in domestic and international seminar presentations.