Datuk Abdelaziz Berghout is an Algerian academic, researcher, and scholar in the fields of Islamic studies, Civilisation and Education. He is Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilisation at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), where he has held several senior academic and administrative positions, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Corporate Strategy and Quality Assurance and Dean of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM).
Berghout's academic work focuses on Islamic civilisation, Islamic thought, Islamic worldview, civilisational renewal, higher education, strategic planning, ethics, sustainable development, and the integration of revealed and acquired knowledge. He has authored and edited books, journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, and research papers in these fields.
Throughout his academic career, Berghout has contributed to educational reform, institutional transformation, international academic cooperation, and interdisciplinary research. He has represented IIUM, during his tenures, in numerous international conferences, academic forums, governmental meetings, and institutional collaborations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and other regions.
He has been also serving as an external expert on Cultural, Social, and Family Affairs for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), In this capacity, he participated in committees concerned with integrating ethics and values into policies for children, women and families, and with the development of strategic plans for marriage and family institutions in OIC member states.
In 2024, Berghout was conferred the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara (P.J.N.) by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, carrying the honorary title Datuk, in recognition of his contributions to society, higher education, academic leadership, and Islamic scholarship.
Early life and education
Abdelaziz Berghout was born on 18 October 1966 in Ras El Ayoun, Batna, Algeria. He completed his Baccalaureate in Science at Abane Ramdane School in Algiers in 1986. He subsequently obtained a Higher Studies Degree in Finance in Algeria, 1991 before pursuing postgraduate studies in Islamic civilisation, civilisational studies, and education.
Berghout continued his postgraduate education in Malaysia, earning a Master's degree in Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1995. In 1998-1999, he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Islamic Civilization and History from the Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya.
In 2000, he obtained a Diploma in Human Sciences from IIUM. He later earned a second Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), in Education, from the Faculty of Education at the International Islamic University Malaysia in 2021.
His academic background spans Islamic thought, Islamic civilisation, education, and the human and social sciences. His multidisciplinary education reflects his academic work in higher education, academic administration, Islamic philosophy, civilisational studies, and educational reform.
Academic career
Berghout joined the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as a lecturer in 1995. During his academic career, he has served in various academic ranks, including Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor, and Senior Professor. Over more than three decades, he has contributed to teaching, research, curriculum development, postgraduate supervision, community engagement, and academic administration.
Throughout his academic career, Berghout has taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Islamic studies, Islamic thought, philosophy, civilisation, education, research methodology, ethics, and the human sciences. His teaching has included courses on the Islamic worldview, Islamisation of knowledge, Islamic civilisation and history, Islamic revivalism, research methodology, Qur'anic studies, Islamic theology (ʿAqidah), Fiqh, Da'wah, Critical Study of Philosophy, creative thinking and problem solving and contemporary Islamic thought.
Berghout has supervised and examined master's and doctoral candidates from a range of academic disciplines and countries. He has also contributed to curriculum development, academic quality assurance, postgraduate education, and institutional strategic planning.
His research focuses on Islamic civilisation, civilisational transformation, philosophy, epistemology, Islamic worldview, higher education, strategic planning, futures studies, values-based education, sustainable development, and the integration of knowledge. His scholarly work has been published in books, edited volumes, book chapters, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed academic journals.
In addition to his teaching and research, Berghout has participated in national and international conferences, research collaborations, and academic initiatives. He has delivered keynote addresses and invited lectures at universities and international scholarly forums.
Administrative leadership
Throughout his academic career, Berghout has held academic and administrative leadership positions at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and other academic and international organisations. His work has included academic governance, strategic planning, institutional development, quality assurance, research management, and higher education policy.
Between 2021 and 2025, Berghout served as Dean of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM), where he oversaw its academic and administrative affairs. During the same period, he also supervised the International Institute for Muslim Unity (IIMU-IIUM).
From 2011 to 2018, Berghout served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation, Industry and Community Relations at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). His responsibilities included international relations, industry and community engagement, and cooperation with universities and international organisations.
During his tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, IIUM maintained collaborations with organisations including the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), the League of Islamic Universities (LIU), the Association of Arab Universities (AAU), and other universities and institutions from the West and the East.
Between 2012 and 2017, Berghout served as Supervisor of the Islamic Agency for Quality and Accreditation, hosted at IIUM in collaboration with by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).
In addition to his university appointments, Berghout has served on advisory boards, governing bodies, academic committees, and international organisations.
Leadership positions
Position Institution Period Dean, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) International Islamic University Malaysia 2021–2025 Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Internationalisation, Industry and Community Relations International Islamic University Malaysia 2011–2018 Supervisor, International Institute for Muslim Unity (IIMU) International Islamic University Malaysia 2011–2018; 2021–2025 Company Director, IIUM International Sdn. Bhd. International Islamic University Malaysia 2012–2014 Head, Centre for Co-curricular Activities International Islamic University Malaysia 2004–2008 Director, Higher Education Company Sdn. Bhd. IIUM International Islamic College 2014–2015 Dean of Corporate Strategy and Quality Assurance International Islamic University Malaysia 2009–2011 Sheikh, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC) International Islamic University Malaysia 2017–2018 Chairman of the Board of Trustees APEXSCI International University 2024–present External Advisor on Cultural, Social and Family Affairs Organisation of Islamic Cooperation 2020–present Deputy President African-Asian Union of Universities 2019–2022
Research interests and contributions
Berghout has authored 15 books and published more than 100 academic articles in peer-reviewed journals. His research focuses on Islamic civilisation, Islamic thought, philosophy, education, and sustainable development.
Berghout's research has addressed the application of Islamic principles to higher education, strategic management, curriculum development, and sustainable development. His research examines Islamic intellectual traditions in relation to education, leadership, governance, and civilisational development. He has developed the Tawhid–Istikhlaf–Umran Paradigm of Knowledge and Civilisation.
His recent edited publications include SDG 18: Spirituality, Values and Culture for Humanising Sustainable Development: A Future Worldview (2023) (eds), Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development: Balancing Spirituality, Values and Profit (2025) (eds), Discourses for a Peaceful Future: Daisaku Ikeda's Four Decades of Proposals for Civilisational Transformation (2026), Wise-Rationalized Communication and the Culture of Verification in the Digital Age (2026) (eds), and Islamic Worldview, Tawhidic Epistemology and Civilisation: Addressing Humanity's Predicaments (2026).
His research has been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He has also presented over 150 papers in local and international conferences
Publications
Berghout's publications focus on Islamic civilisation, Islamic thought, Islamic worldview, philosophy, higher education, strategic planning, ethics, sustainable development, and educational reform. His works include books, edited volumes, book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and research reports.
A bibliography of his publications is available through the International Islamic University Malaysia Institutional Repository (IRep).
Books
Year Title Publisher 1995 Prophetic Methodology and Civilisational Change Ummah Book Series, Qatar 2005 Methods of Preaching in a Multi-Religious and Multi-Cultural Society Research Centre, IIUM 2005 Foundations of Civilizational Renewal and its Universal Dimensions: A Study on Malik Bennabi's Thought Research Centre, IIUM 2006 The Islamic Worldview and Tajdid: A Civilizational Approach Research Centre, IIUM 2006 Towards an Islamic Theory for Civilizational Development: The Contribution of Said Nursi Research Centre, IIUM 2007 Materialization of the Civilizational Project of Islam in the Contemporary World Ministry of Religious Affairs, Kuwait 2009 Introduction to The Islamic Worldview: Study of Selected Essentials (editor) Research Centre, IIUM 2023 SDG 18: Spirituality, Values and Culture for Humanising Sustainable Development: A Future Worldview (co-editor) ISTAC-IIUM Publications 2026 Discourses for a Peaceful Future: Daisaku Ikeda's Four Decades of Proposals for Civilisational Transformation Azzahra Associates 2026 Wise-Rationalized Communication and the Culture of Verification in the Digital Age Mashreq International Books
Selected journal articles
"Faith and the Essence of Human Being: Exploring the Islamic Concept of 'Honored Vicegerent'" (The Journal of Oriental Studies, 2026) "Islamic Worldview and Civilisational Tawhidic Epistemology: Towards a Universal Narrative" (2026) "Mechanisms of Philosophical Reasoning and their Importance in Achieving Quality of Life" (2025) "AbdulHamid AbuSulayman: Civilizational Education for Transformation" (Journal of Education in Muslim Societies, 2022) "Role of Worldview in Family Empowerment Plans: Proposed Islamic Integrated Framework" (Journal of Islam in Asia, 2022) "Towards an Integrated Model of University Performance Measurement in the Islamic World" (2017)