Australian Volunteers International Delegation Visits UIN Jakarta to Support Global Engagement

Main Conference Room, UIN Online News — Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta recently hosted a welcoming session for a delegation from Australian Volunteers International (AVI) on Monday, December 15, 2025. The visit formed part of the university’s ongoing efforts to expand international partnerships and strengthen its global presence.

The event brought together senior university leaders and institutional representatives, including the Chair of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LP2M), Prof. Amelia Fauzia, Ph.D.; Head of the Center for International Cooperation Services, Prof. Arif Zamhari, Ph.D.; Head of the Research and Publication Center, Dr. Siti Ummi Masruroh, M.Sc.; Special Advisor for the Acceleration of Postgraduate Development, Prof. Muhammad Zuhdi, M.Ed., Ph.D.; and Head of the Language Development Center, Kustiwan, S.Ag., M.A., Ph.D. Representatives from the Australian Volunteer Program (AVP), Tina Sindukusumo and Erwin Sipahutar, were also in attendance.

Speaking during the meeting, Prof. Muhammad Zuhdi explained that the collaboration is designed to elevate UIN Jakarta’s international visibility and foster strategic partnerships across multiple countries.

“This initiative serves as a platform to introduce UIN Jakarta globally and to open pathways for cooperation with higher education institutions and government bodies abroad. Australia, in particular, remains one of our closest and most strategic partners,” he noted.

Representing the Australian Volunteer Program, Tina explained that AVP operates under Australian Volunteers International and has been officially active since 2018, with its current mandate scheduled to conclude in 2027. Initially focused solely on in-country volunteer placements, the program has since evolved following the COVID-19 pandemic to include three engagement models: in-country, remote, and hybrid assignments. All volunteer activities are fully funded by the Australian government.

“The program began in 2018 and is expected to run until mid-2027. After the pandemic, we adapted by introducing remote and hybrid models in addition to traditional in-country placements,” she explained.

Prof. Muhammad Zuhdi further emphasized the broader impact of the partnership, highlighting its role in supporting UIN Jakarta’s internationalization agenda through volunteer contributions in language development, research assistance, and academic publishing.

“This collaboration brings multiple benefits. First, it expands UIN Jakarta’s network of international partners. Second, it strengthens foreign language proficiency among both faculty members and students. For faculty, publishing in international journals requires advanced language skills and professional proofreading, enabling them to produce publishable academic work. For students, the presence of native speakers provides valuable support in developing strong English communication skills,” he added in an interview.

(Hilya Hafiza Sadi / Fathan Rangga / Syandana Mazna Aisyah / Photo: Rajif Ramadhan)