UUM IS THE FIRST MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY TO COLLABORATE WITH FIVE INDONESIAN UNIVERSITIES

UUM ONLINE: Jakarta - Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) became the first Malaysian university to establish academic collaboration with five State Islamic Universities (UIN) in Indonesia.

The five UINs involved in this academic collaboration are UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh, UIN Mataram, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya and UIN Raden Fatah Palembang.

UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan said, the selection of UUM represents a noteworthy acknowledgement of its standing in the global community. The academic collaboration will facilitate the sponsorship of Indonesian students to pursue postgraduate studies under the academic collaboration between UUM and UIN.

"Eligible students will receive scholarship sponsorship to further their education and gain international experience, with the aim of cultivating holistic human capital and grooming prospective leaders, educators, and professionals for the ‘Land of Garuda’," he said at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony between UUM and five UINs at the esteemed Grand Mercure Jakarta Harmoni Hotel, today.

UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung was represented by its Rector, Prof. Dr H. Mahmud; UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya by the Rector, Prof. Akh. Muzakki; UIN Raden Fatah Palembang by its Rector, Prof. Dr Nyayu Khodijah; UIN Mataram by its Rector, Prof. Dt. Masnun Tahir and UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh by its Rector, Prof. Dr H. Mujiburrahman.

The first group of students sponsored by the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenag) is expected to register for September 2023 admission.

The students are required to complete a year of postgraduate studies at UUM before proceeding to pursue an additional year of postgraduate studies at the respective UIN. Upon successful completion of their academic programme, students will be awarded two postgraduate certificates from both UUM and UIN.

In addition, the collaboration between UUM and the five UINs also encompasses the exchange of staff and students, the organisation of joint academic conferences, collaboration in scholarly publishing and other relevant matters.

Kemenag oversees 27 UINs in Indonesia and also offers scholarships for UIN students and lecturers to continue their studies at prestigious universities around the world.

The collaboration between UUM and Kemenag generally involves academic collaboration in an effort to increase the marketability of the academic programmes offered by UINs.

The academic collaboration involves the participation of schools from UUM, namely the Islamic Business School (IBS), the School of Multimedia Technology and Communication (SMMTC), and the School of Education (SoE).

The envisaged academic partnership is expected to proceed seamlessly and effectively in attaining the goals established by Kemenag and UUM.

The signing of the MoU was witnessed by the Director General of Islamic Education, Kemenag, Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali Ramdhani together with Education Attaché, Education Malaysia Indonesia (EMI), Embassy of Malaysia in Jakarta, Mr. Zulfadhli Hamzah; Dean of the School of Education, Prof. Dr Yahya Don; Director of the Centre of International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), Assoc. Prof. Dr Arpah Abu Bakar and the Dean of the School of Multimedia Technology and Communication, Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohd. Khairie Ahmad.