Island Global Insitute, Inc. and My Visit to Malabang

Plan, Execute, Conquer – these are the three-word formula shared by one of today’s youngest millionaires, Kevin Abdulrahman, in order to succeed in life. It means that in order for one to be able to achieve his dream in life, the very first step is to plan. Next is executing the plan, putting the plan into action. And then eventually, the desired result will most likely be achieved – that is, conquered! 

A beautiful, and vast land of Malabang.

These days, I am witnessing a great dream starting to unfold. The dream of a very young, vibrant, intelligent and talented man, my beloved friend, Aleem Abdulnasser Garo. His beautiful dream is a great legacy to his hometown and that is to build a world class university in his homeland, Malabang. And his plan for this massive dream is being executed these days.

The 29-year-old founder of Island Global Institute, Alim Abdulnasser Garo.

I first met him a few years ago in MSU-Main campus, when he was still a college student. His course was International Relation (IR) then. Among our circle of friends, he was known as very knowledgeable at Arabic language and Islam, hence we addressed him "Ustad." I was fond of talking to him about Arabic and religious practices. I once even requested him to teach me Arabic language. He was also so smart in other disciplines and he had this strong urge to learn almost everything. He even enrolled extra subjects, like Math, even if they were not included in the curriculum of his course. But with all these impressive characteristics, he remains humble, soft-spoken and kind. I knew it then that this was one hint of a great person in the future. 

Just last week, he invited me to attend their Summer Advance Class 2013 Culmination program in Malabang. Malabang is a municipality under the region Lanao Del Sur, Philippines. It is located northwest off Parang. Its southwest side is oulined by sea of Illana Bay. Malabang comes from the maranao word "Mala" which means big and "Bang" or Adhan in Arabic which is a call to prayer. History has it that an Arab missionary name Sharif Kabunsuan arrived to the Sultanate of Tubok around 14th century to introduce Islam to the people in mainland Mindanao. Upon docking in the shore of Tubok which is known today as barangay Tambara, the Arab Missionary call a prayer with his loud voice. The First Adhan or "Bang" in Lanao. The vilagers heard it and called it a BIG ADHAN, or locally "Mala a Bang", as referring to the birth of Islam in the Island. The Islam spread through the mainland Mindanao. It reaches the northern settlers in northern Mindanao. Being marked as the historical foundation of the religion Islam in central and northern Mindanao, they name the town as Malabang.

On May 6, 2013, my friend, Engr. Mohaimin Samanoden fetched me from Marawi city. We followed the route along Lake lanao, passing through Marantao onto Pualas. Then, we passed onto side of Lake Dapao,  The scenery of travel was just amazing. There's a highway overlooking the edge of Lake Lanao at some height, flat vast farm with high mountains at the outskirts extending up towards the cool-looking clouds  above. No-one can deny that the nature's beauty is indeed a gift from the Almighty.

Right after dawn of May 7, we went to a natural spring to bathe in order to prepare early for that day's programme. At first, I expected the spring to be small... small that can be filled only by two to five persons I assumed. But when we got there, I was mistaken. The spring was wide, filled with cold water. It was so wide that you can't swim it at once from one side to the opposite. Since I grew up at an island, I am used to swim through waves of seawater. However, since this was a spring, there was no such waves. It looked magically so calm and undisturbed, that you could almost see totally the inverted image of the opposite edge's view. The surface was smooth especially in its deep middle region.

The Culmination program whose theme was Learn Deeply was to be held that morning. This Summer Advance Class is the very first operation of the future world-class university, Islands Global Institute, Inc. (IGI) which will formally open precisely in September 2014. Thoughts of this grand dream was first drafted 10 years ago (2003) by Alim Garo. With the help coming from his very supportive family and friends, he has made IGI formally and legally as a school at the age of just 29 -- By the way, yes, that's his age right at this very moment. His family and friends are very proud of this guy --The style of schedule and learning of this elegant institution will be based on the style of University of Cambridge (United Kingdom). The start of its academic school year will always start in September each year like other universities abroad. And the faculty will be composed of world-class professors, some will be from foreign countries. So will some of the students be.

Guest, Administrators and Teachers of IGI.

The day's event was graced by the supportive parents of the students and some guests from a neighboring school Our Lady Peace High School of Malabang and from Silsila forum. 

Supportive Parents of IGI's first advance summer students.

After the culmination program, we went to the lot where the IGI will stand. The area was flat and there is even a defunct airport nearby. I was so astonished upon looking at the vast 16 hectares land area intended for the school’s campus. The architectural designs of the buildings are marvelous. The school's classroom, administrator's buildings, dormitories and even commercial center will be incorporated inside the compound. I jokingly said to him, “can you pinch me so that I’ll be pretty sure that I am not daydreaming right now.”

Alim Garo, and Me. The fence of IGI campus can be seen on the left.

Who knows that in few years to come this place shall bloom because of IGI. Take a look at a pattern from history. If we roll back time by 50 years from now, we’d see boring and haunted cold forest at the location where MSU-Main Campus is. People flocked to Marawi when MSU-Main got established. Students coming from different places went there to study. Other people also took advantage of this and established good businesses in satisfying the needs of people there, especially the faculty and students.

The first advance summer class students of IGI.

No doubt, Malabang is already an attractive place - the nature's beauty there is one of the country's wealth. In three days of visit, I've seen more than enough. If only peace and order shall be established well, it'll be a better place to live in. Then with the complete installation of IGI, it will ignite the place's massive development. We hope and pray that the same good faith will  happen to Malabang. If Marawi had flourished because of MSU, so will Malabang because of IGI. 

The defunct airport. When the tricycle speeds up while passing by this, it almost felt like starting to fly in an airplane.

Part of the 16 hectares lot for IGI campus.

Concrete fence of IGI campus, under construction.

IGI's president Alim Garo, and vice-president Samanoden