BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN MALAYSIAN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: THE WAKU-PRO PROGRAM AS AN INNOVATIVE ISLAMIC SOCIAL FINANCE MODEL FOR POST-DIGITAL RESILIENCE

Abstract

The digital divide between urban and rural students is a persistent global challenge, exacerbated in the post-digital age where internet access is fundamental to educational equity. This paper examines the Waku-Pro program, a strategic initiative at Lahad Datu Vocational College in Sabah, Malaysia, designed to bridge this divide through an innovative Islamic social finance model. Prior to the program, only 8.2% of students had personal internet access, severely hindering rural students' academic progress. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research details the program's implementation, which utilized the Islamic principle of Wakaf (endowment) to crowdfund Unifi internet installations at 14 strategic locations across the campus, involving 18 access points with varying bandwidth capacities (100Mbps to 500Mbps) and a total investment of RM3,362. The findings reveal a transformative impact: post-implementation, 100% of students gained equal access to internet facilities. This intervention fostered digital resilience, leading to improved digital literacy, equitable coursework completion, and enhanced skills in essential software like Microsoft Office. While challenges such as internet misuse emerged, they were mitigated through continuous monitoring and access restrictions. The Waku-Pro program exemplifies how an Islamic interdisciplinary approach—combining educational needs with Islamic social finance—can provide a sustainable and resilient solution to a critical post-digital challenge. It offers a scalable model for other educational institutions facing similar disparities.