Darulfunun Institute

Institute for Development, Research and Initiatives (IDRIS)

Category: Insight

  • Solar-Autonomous AgroDrone: Innovation of a Solar-Powered Drone System for Automated Downstream Integration in Precision Agriculture toward Sustainable and Globally Competitive Agricultural Transformation

    » IC Journal of Science, Technology and Society

    Rural agriculture often faces limited access to precision technology and efficient downstream management, hindering productivity and sustainability. This community service initiative aimed to implement and evaluate a Solar-Autonomous AgroDrone, a solar-powered drone system designed to support automated crop monitoring and downstream agricultural processes in Curahmalang Village, Jember Regency, through the Community Service Program of Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember. While prior studies confirm that drone technology improves precision farming efficiency, integration with renewable energy for rural community empowerment remains underexplored. The program applied a participatory action approach involving 25 farmers and 15 village youths through technical training, field demonstrations, and supervised agricultural monitoring over 12 weeks. Data were collected from crop productivity records, operational cost comparisons, and structured adoption surveys, then analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics. The findings show a 27% increase in crop monitoring efficiency and a 32% reduction in fuel-related operational costs due to solar energy utilization. Early pest detection responsiveness improved by 45%, and 68% of participating farmers indicated readiness for sustained adoption. No significant technical failures were recorded during implementation. These results support sustainable agriculture theory emphasizing renewable energy integration and digital precision tools for resilient rural development. In conclusion, the Solar-Autonomous AgroDrone enhances automated downstream agricultural practices while strengthening energy-efficient and sustainable farming systems. Its novelty lies in combining solar-powered drone innovation with community-based agricultural empowerment within a structured service-learning framework.

  • Cryptocurrency, Mining, and Trading Activities Among Bauchi Muslim Women

    » Journal of Regional Development and Technology Initiatives

    This study explores the growing phenomena of cryptocurrency participation among Muslim women in Bauchi, Nigeria, including mining, trading, and related financial activities, and looks at how it affects their financial situation. Digital currencies are revolutionizing financial inclusion on a global scale by giving excluded groups access to alternative investment and income-generating alternatives. However, there is still little research on the use of cryptocurrencies in low-income environments, particularly among culturally restricted populations. This study uses a mixed-methods approach that includes surveys, focus groups, and in-depth interviews with 300 Muslim women involved in e-currency ecosystems. It draws on adaptive diffusion theory and socio-economic inclusion frameworks. The results show that trading cryptocurrencies, especially peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges, has helped users diversify their sources of income, improve their financial independence, and lessen the effects of inflation and currency devaluation. Despite being limited by capital and energy expenses, mining operations have also given some participants access to specialized revenue sources. The study also highlights important mediators of economic impact, such as financial literacy, access to digital infrastructure, social network support, Islamic ethical considerations around risk and riba, and digital literacy. Concerns regarding market volatility, unclear regulations, and inadequate institutional protections endure despite favorable economic consequences. In addition to providing policy suggestions for inclusive financial literacy programs, community-based regulatory guidelines, and gender-responsive digital economy strategies, the research advances our understanding of the adoption of digital finance in culturally particular contexts.

  • Cryptocurrency, Mining, and Trading Activities Among Bauchi Muslim Women

    » Journal of Regional Development and Technology Initiatives

    This study explores the growing phenomena of cryptocurrency participation among Muslim women in Bauchi, Nigeria, including mining, trading, and related financial activities, and looks at how it affects their financial situation. Digital currencies are revolutionizing financial inclusion on a global scale by giving excluded groups access to alternative investment and income-generating alternatives. However, there is still little research on the use of cryptocurrencies in low-income environments, particularly among culturally restricted populations. This study uses a mixed-methods approach that includes surveys, focus groups, and in-depth interviews with 300 Muslim women involved in e-currency ecosystems. It draws on adaptive diffusion theory and socio-economic inclusion frameworks. The results show that trading cryptocurrencies, especially peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges, has helped users diversify their sources of income, improve their financial independence, and lessen the effects of inflation and currency devaluation. Despite being limited by capital and energy expenses, mining operations have also given some participants access to specialized revenue sources. The study also highlights important mediators of economic impact, such as financial literacy, access to digital infrastructure, social network support, Islamic ethical considerations around risk and riba, and digital literacy. Concerns regarding market volatility, unclear regulations, and inadequate institutional protections endure despite favorable economic consequences. In addition to providing policy suggestions for inclusive financial literacy programs, community-based regulatory guidelines, and gender-responsive digital economy strategies, the research advances our understanding of the adoption of digital finance in culturally particular contexts.

  • Curriculum Reform for the Digital Economy: Bridging Islamic Studies, Social Studies, and English Language Education

    The rapid spread of fintech innovation, digital transformation, and platform-based economies is transforming global socioeconomic systems, necessitating a rethinking of educational curricula to prepare students for participation in a technologically advanced society. However, in many developing countries, curricular frameworks remain fragmented, with little integration of ethical underpinnings, civic knowledge, and global communication skills. This study suggests an interdisciplinary curriculum reform approach that combines Islamic Studies, Social Studies, and English Language Education to meet the rising demands of the digital economy. The study suggests that digital economic participation should prioritize sustainability and social cohesion, based on the ethical principles of Islamic moral economy, including justice (ʿadl), trust (amānah), and social responsibility in finance. Social Studies provides critical viewpoints on globalization, citizenship, digital governance, and sustainable development, whilst English Language Education teaches pupils the communicative and digital literacy skills required for global fintech involvement and cross-border collaboration. The paper uses a qualitative conceptual framework supported by curriculum analysis and interdisciplinary theory to outline solutions for incorporating financial literacy, ethical fintech awareness, sustainability education, and professional communication skills into secondary and postsecondary curricula. The suggested approach encourages value-driven digital competency, ethical innovation, and equitable engagement in global financial systems. By navigating the nexus of fintech innovation, sustainability, and society, this study advances a holistic educational paradigm that aligns moral economy principles with digital transformation goals, contributing to resilient and ethically grounded human capital development in a globalized world.

  • Community-Based Tourism and Waqf: Measuring Social Impact and Socio-Economic Transformation

    » Perwakilan: Journal of Good Governance, Diplomacy, Customary Institutionalization and Social Networks

    Community-based tourism is increasingly considered as a new engine for sustainable development; However the sustainability of community based tourism relies on the effectiveness of funding, the good governance and the active involvement of local community. This paper examines the role of Waqf (Islamic endowment) in sustainable community-based tourism and aims to quantify the contributions of Waqf in poverty alleviation, education and capacity building, social cohesion among the communities of the destinations, etc. Using various sources from Islamic finance, tourism sustainability and socio-economic development literature, the paper integrates and synthesizes available case studies and empirical data for showing the role of Waqf in establishing community-based tourism sustainable livelihoods while promoting responsible behavior and involvement of all the stakeholders involved. The paper will then address issues on the governance of Waqf in tourism related activities, its transparency, mechanisms of benefit distribution. Ultimately the study can then prove that community-based tourism through Waqf is a major engine for the socio-economic development, local communities’ empowerment while preserving cultural and environment heritage of the destinations, as well as a powerful device for connecting the logic of moral economy to modern business practices. The research recommend here ways to strengthen Waqf contributions in sustainable development and we position Waqf not as a source of money, but as a catalyst for holistic community empowerment.

  • Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Entrepreneurship through Technology-Enhanced Learning: Bridging Islamic Moral Economy, Social Studies, and English Language Education

    » Journal of Regional Development and Technology Initiatives

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  • Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Entrepreneurship through Technology-Enhanced Learning: Bridging Islamic Moral Economy, Social Studies, and English Language Education

    » Journal of Regional Development and Technology Initiatives

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  • From Charity to Development: Repositioning Waqf in Islamic Social Finance

    » AL-IMAM: Journal on Islamic Studies, Civilization and Learning Societies

    Within the larger context of Islamic social finance, this research explores how waqf has evolved from a conventional charitable organization to a useful tool for long-term socioeconomic development. In Muslim societies throughout history, waqf has been essential in promoting communal welfare, healthcare, education, and religious institutions. However, weak governance structures, insufficient legal and regulatory frameworks, poor asset management, and a lack of strategic alignment with national and community development goals have limited its effectiveness in many modern contexts. Waqf is therefore frequently limited to temporary humanitarian endeavors rather than being utilized as a long-term development organization. This research investigates the evolving role of waqf within Islamic social finance using a qualitative research technique. It draws on an extensive survey of scholarly literature, policy documents, chosen case studies, and insights from expert interviews. The analysis finds important institutional, ethical, and practical constraints that impede waqf’s developmental potential, such as governance flaws, inadequate transparency, poor public awareness, and fragmented cooperation with other Islamic social finance mechanisms like zakat. The findings show that waqf has considerable untapped potential to contribute to long-term human development when repositioned within a comprehensive development framework. Institutional reforms, professional management practices, accountability systems, and policy integration appear to be significant variables for improving its efficacy. The research suggests that integrating waqf with maq??id al-shar??ah objectives and current development concerns can reposition it as a sustainable funding mechanism alongside other Islamic finance instruments. The research concludes with practical policy proposals aimed at strengthening waqf governance, institutional capacity, and strategic relevance, thus increasing its contribution to long-term social and economic growth in Muslim nations.

  • From Charity to Development: Repositioning Waqf in Islamic Social Finance

    » AL-IMAM: Journal on Islamic Studies, Civilization and Learning Societies

    Within the larger context of Islamic social finance, this research explores how waqf has evolved from a conventional charitable organization to a useful tool for long-term socioeconomic development. In Muslim societies throughout history, waqf has been essential in promoting communal welfare, healthcare, education, and religious institutions. However, weak governance structures, insufficient legal and regulatory frameworks, poor asset management, and a lack of strategic alignment with national and community development goals have limited its effectiveness in many modern contexts. Waqf is therefore frequently limited to temporary humanitarian endeavors rather than being utilized as a long-term development organization. This research investigates the evolving role of waqf within Islamic social finance using a qualitative research technique. It draws on an extensive survey of scholarly literature, policy documents, chosen case studies, and insights from expert interviews. The analysis finds important institutional, ethical, and practical constraints that impede waqf’s developmental potential, such as governance flaws, inadequate transparency, poor public awareness, and fragmented cooperation with other Islamic social finance mechanisms like zakat. The findings show that waqf has considerable untapped potential to contribute to long-term human development when repositioned within a comprehensive development framework. Institutional reforms, professional management practices, accountability systems, and policy integration appear to be significant variables for improving its efficacy. The research suggests that integrating waqf with maq??id al-shar??ah objectives and current development concerns can reposition it as a sustainable funding mechanism alongside other Islamic finance instruments. The research concludes with practical policy proposals aimed at strengthening waqf governance, institutional capacity, and strategic relevance, thus increasing its contribution to long-term social and economic growth in Muslim nations.

  • Integrating Cash Waqf with Microfinance for Sustainable Livelihood Development in Muslim Communities

    » WAQF Business Review

    Sustainable livelihood development is a major challenge facing many Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in developing countries where poverty and unemployment levels remain high. Microfinance is seen as one of the instruments used in poverty alleviation, but the method that involves lending money and earning profits (interest-based method) is facing criticisms based on Shara compliance issues. This paper proposes cash Waqf, an Islamic social finance instrument, to enhance the livelihoods options for vulnerable Muslims. As one form of Islamic endowment, cash Waqf is a flexible fund available for productive purposes and can be operated within the framework of Shara aims of wealth protection, social equity and reduction of poverty. Qualitative research is adopted in this study, focusing on doctrinal analysis of the literature on Islamic finance, along with empirical studies concerning Waqf and microfinance. This study analyzes the cases of cash Waqf in microfinance of Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh in relation to operational modes, governance and the relevant Shara-compliant financing products such as qard asan, murabah and murbaah used within a Waqf-based financing mechanism. The study reveals that merging cash Waqf with microfinance could expand financial inclusion for the needy, and could strengthen the sustainability of micro-enterprises. Yet, certain operational challenges such as inadequate governance, absence of regulatory frameworks, and lack of transparency needs to be overcome. The study proposes a conceptual framework for integrating cash Waqf, Islamic microfinance and sustainable solutions, where the participation of stakeholders and provision of a supportive environment and capacity building activities are necessary. The study concludes that integrating cash Waqf and microfinance provides a sustainable approach for livelihood development of Muslim communities, offering a sustainable solution to overcome economic challenges and promote socio-solidarity for inclusive development. The paper advances the existing literature in Islamic social finance concerning the study of Waqf as a modern socio-economic development tool and provides some findings and recommendations to scale up Waqf-based microfinance to meet the SDGs particularly Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth.

  • Eco-Green Catalys: An Intelligent Distribution Network for Generative Mycorrhizal Spores Through AI and Iot Optimization for Ecological Complexity Engineering in Post-Deforestation Lands Based on Restorative Bio-Economy Principles

    » Journal of Regional Development and Technology Initiatives

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  • Maqasid Al-Shariah and Artificial Intelligence: Unaddressed Issues in Contemporary AI Ethics Studies

    » AL-IMAM: Journal on Islamic Studies, Civilization and Learning Societies

    The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has intensified ethical debates within contemporary technology studies. Nevertheless, current AI ethics discourse remains predominantly shaped by Western philosophical paradigms such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, which often overlook moral, social, and spiritual dimensions central to non-Western societies, including Islamic ethical traditions. This study aims to map contemporary AI ethics scholarship, critically examine Islamic ethical responses to AI, and develop an evaluative framework grounded in Maqasid al-Shariah. Using a qualitative approach with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) design, this research analyzes peer- reviewed publications from the last decade drawn from major academic databases. Data analysis is conducted through thematic analysis, comparative analysis, and conceptual synthesis. The findings reveal that Islamic AI ethics studies are still dominated by normative and declarative approaches, with limited operationalization of Maqasid al-Shariah as an evaluative tool, and a notable absence of integrative models connecting Islamic ethics with global AI ethics frameworks. This study contributes theoretically by positioning Maqasid al- Shar??ah as a holistic, value-based, and applicable ethical framework for assessing AI in relation to justice, public welfare, and the protection of human dignity within a global technological context.