As part of its robust effort in expanding the international cooperation with the world鈥檚 well-established Universities, the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) has reached an agreement on Wednesday (12/14/2022) through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Al Qasimia University of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The MoU marks not only the academic partnership, but also poses as a pathway for future鈥檚 collaboration on cultural exchange.
The MoU signing ceremony was held at the UIII campus in Depok, West Java, represented by the two top officials of each university. Representing Al Qasimia University was its Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Awad Husain Alkhalaf. Whilst, Rector Prof. Komaruddin Hidayat signed the MoU on behalf of UIII.
On this occasion, Al Qasimia University Chancellor came to witness first-hand the UIII campus, accompanied by Dr. Zakaria Noah, the Director of the Office of International Relations and Student Attraction.
The MoU entails numerous partnership schemes both in academic and cultural exchanges. The two parties agreed to exchange invitations and to attend the organized scientific, cultural, or educational programs and other activities.
Al Qasimia University is also committed to build a language center at UIII, to facilitate the language learning for UIII students. In addition, Al Qasimia University will also send its lecturers to participate in teaching and learning activities at UIII in the future.
During his visit to Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Awad Husain Alkhalaf had the opportunity to teach students through UIII's Public Lecture program. On this occasion, UIII students had the chance to ask Prof. Dr. Awad Husain Alkhalaf questions on topic regarding Islam.
Al Qasimia University adds to the list of international institutions which UIII has in talks with for strategic partnership in recent months. Earlier in November 2022, the representatives of USAID (United States Agency for International Development) Burma Education also visited UIII for possible collaboration.
The visit of USAID Burma Education came a month after UIII officials visited Egypt and Saudi Arabia to seek possible partnerships with Al Azhar University of Cairo, Egypt, as well as the World Muslim League and an education assembly in Saudi Arabia.
In August 2022, the UIII has also welcomed academic team from HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh (UoE). This visiting fellow program is part of "The Edinburgh-UIII Postgraduate Dual Degree Partnership on Islam and the Globalized Muslim World" program funded by the British Council's Going Global Partnership Program for 2022 and 2023.
In addition, twenty five civitas academics of the UIII visited Australia in July 2022 for a short course held by the Australia Award Indonesia (AAI) program. Also in the same month, UIII officials also visited The ISEAS鈥揧usof Ishak Institute, Singapore for possible partnerships.
Meanwhile, earlier in June 2022, the representatives of Al-Mustafa International University (MIU) and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran visited UIII also for future collaboration.
Aiming to be a university with international standard, this has been part of UIII鈥檚 agenda to build partnership with international universities and other educational institutions. Staring its academic activities in 2021, UIII is currently offering MA and PhD programs within the four faculties of Islamic Studies, Social Sciences, Economic and Business, and Education. (Supriyono/ANJ)