AICIS+ 2025 Enhances Indonesia’s Role in Islamic Education to Advance Global Scholarship

Depok, UIN Online News — On 29-31/10/2025, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of the Republic of Indonesia hosted the 24th Annual International Conference on Islam, Science, and Society (AICIS+) 2025 at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII). The international conference brought together scholars from 31 countries, serving as a strategic platform to reinforce Indonesia’s contribution to global Islamic academic discourse.

The Director General of Islamic Education, Amien Suyitno, stated that AICIS+ 2025 proves Indonesia’s standing as a leading center for modern, inclusive, and tolerant Islamic scholarship.

“AICIS provides an opportunity for Indonesian scholars to present their ideas and research to an international audience. Together, we want to strengthen Indonesia’s image as a pluralistic nation that upholds the values of tolerance,” he stated.

This year’s conference explored the intersection of Islam and contemporary global issues, including technological transformation, ecology, Islamic law, social equality, sustainable economics, public health, and humanitarian crisis resolution. These subthemes reflected Islam’s vital role in addressing the challenges of modern civilization and fostering intellectual and moral progress.

Furthermore, the Forum of State Islamic Higher Education Rectors (PTKIN Rector Forum) reaffirmed its commitment to the internationalization of Islamic universities. Among the key achievements highlighted was UIII’s successful dual-degree program with SOAS University of London and the University of Edinburgh, which recently graduated 14 students through the Indonesia Bangkit Scholarship (BIB). UIII also expanded its academic collaboration with Deakin University, Australia.

“This is more than just sending our students abroad; it is an investment in developing globally competitive Muslim scholars. When they come back here, they will advance our research and engage in meaningful dialogue with the international community,” he assured.

Several international academics also contributed critical perspectives on the future of Islamic civilization by discussing topics such as ecofeminism in Aceh, AI ethics, and the reinforcement of tolerance and digital literacy in modern Islamic studies.

Through AICIS+ 2025, the Ministry of Religious Affairs therefore reaffirms its vision to position State Islamic Universities (PTKIN) not only as centers for religious studies but also as hubs for world-class research, innovation, and Islamic thought, contributing to the realization of the Indonesia Emas 2045.

(Meisa Aqilah N.H./ Fauziah M./ Zaenal M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Aqilah Qurratulaini)