Universiti Al-Quran Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah Pahang (UNIQSAAS) merupakan sebuah inisiatif strategik yang sangat signifikan dalam menyokong teras Malaysia Madani yang menekankan nilai kemampanan, kesejahteraan, daya cipta, hormat, keyakinan dan ihsan. Universiti ini lahir daripada gagasan murni Kebawah Duli Paduka Baginda Sultan Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah serta sokongan berterusan Kerajaan Negeri Pahang dalam usaha membentuk sebuah institusi pengajian tinggi Islam yang menjunjung Al-Quran sebagai teras utama pembangunan insan dan negara. Dengan pendekatan berasaskan nilai dan prinsip Al-Quran, Universiti Al-Quran mampu melahirkan modal insan berilmu dan berakhlak secara seimbang antara kekuatan intelektual dan spiritual. Malah, universiti ini juga menjadi wadah kepada pelaksanaan visi pendidikan Negeri Pahang untuk menjulang ilmu wahyu sebagai dasar utama pembangunan masyarakat yang lebih adil, penyayang dan progresif.

LATAR SEJARAH

Kewujudan Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (UnIPSAS) yang dahulunya dikenali sebagai Kolej Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (KUIPSAS), Kolej Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah (KIPSAS), Kolej Islam Pahang (KIP) adalah merupakan titik tolak pertama ke arah pembangunan dan kemajuan pendidikan tinggi Islam di negeri ini. Sejarahnya bermula pada 27 Ogos 1996 apabila Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Pahang meluluskan idea penubuhannya. Buat permulaannya, UnIPSAS menampung keperluan saluran pengajian tinggi bagi pelajar-pelajar lepasan sekolah menengah agama negeri untuk melanjutkan pelajaran mereka di institusi pengajian tinggi. Pengambilan kumpulan pelajar pertama seramai 67 orang telah dimulakan sebaik sahaja menerima keputusan daripada Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.

This university, which is closely associated with His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar, was officially inaugurated by His Majesty on November 16, 2000, corresponding to 19 Syaaban 1421H. His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang serves as a symbol and emblem of the university's glory in the state of Pahang.

Since April 1998, UnIPSAS has been registered as a private higher education institution and is fully governed by the state's subsidiary company, Sistem Pendidikan Islam Pahang Sendirian Berhad (SPIPSB). UnIPSAS, which offers diploma-level educational opportunities, received approval from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, in 1996. This signifies the state government's strong commitment to UnIPSAS, particularly through annual grant allocations. The university was built on approximately 41 acres of land at a cost of RM41 million, comprising administrative buildings, academic buildings, a library, student dormitory blocks, a cafeteria, a large hall, a sports complex, the President’s residence, and residential blocks for lecturers and staff. These facilities were completed in February 2000. Additionally, the state government of Pahang allocated 503 acres of land to accommodate future development and as an asset to UnIPSAS. A mosque, valued at nearly RM10 million, stands as another landmark of pride for the university.

The year 2013 marked the 17th anniversary of UnIPSAS's establishment, signifying that more than a decade has passed since the university began driving excellence in Islamic higher education in Pahang, producing a high-quality workforce aligned with the aspirations of the job market.

As an initial step, UnIPSAS responded to the recommendations of the Board of Directors and the Board of Governors of Sistem Pendidikan Islam Pahang by collaborating with both public and private higher education institutions.

The state government graciously appointed His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang as the first Chancellor of UnIPSAS, and the Proclamation Ceremony of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang as the first Chancellor of UnIPSAS was held on February 25, 2016. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Pahang was appointed as the Pro-Chancellor of UnIPSAS.