Public Lecture by Singapore's Minister of State at UIN Jakarta

Diorama Room, UIN News Online – On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta hosted a public lecture titled "Building Resilience and Harmony: Singapore's Vision for the Next Generation" in the Diorama Room, ground floor of the Harun Nasution Auditorium. The event was attended by Prof. Ali Munhanif, Vice Rector of Student Affairs; Prof. Ahmad Tholabi, Vice Rector of Academic Affairs; Prof. Amelia Fauzia, Director of the Institute for Research and Community Engagement; along with heads of bureaus, deans, lecturers, and students.

The Singaporean delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, Republic of Singapore. The delegation also included Mr. Kwok Fook Seng, Ambassador of Singapore to Indonesia; Mr. Aaron Chee, Counsellor at the Singapore Embassy; Mr. Mohamed Fazly Bin Mohamed Jamaludin, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Partnerships Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore; and Mr. Phua Jun Han, Executive of the International Cooperation and Partnerships Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore.

The event commenced with a welcoming speech from Prof. Ali Munhanif, who expressed the honor and pride of UIN Jakarta in hosting such a significant event. "We are honored and proud to host this event that will discuss the importance of building resilience and harmony for the next generation," he said. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the Singapore government and UIN Jakarta in addressing global challenges such as climate change, economic uncertainty, and political crises.

Following this, Mr. Kwok Fook Seng, Ambassador of Singapore to Indonesia, delivered an insightful speech on the future challenges within the ASEAN community. "Collaboration and cooperation are key to tackling global challenges such as climate change and economic uncertainty," he remarked.

Prof. Amelia Fauzia then introduced the keynote speaker, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, by reading his impressive biography. "He has been serving as Minister of State since 2020 and has extensive experience in various ministries in Singapore," she explained. In his lecture, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim emphasized the importance of education in building a resilient and harmonious society. "As a small nation with a population of 5.6 million, we do not have abundant natural resources. However, we have human resources that we can develop through education," he stated.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim also shared his views on how Singapore, despite lacking abundant natural resources, has achieved remarkable progress through well-planned and stable long-term strategies. "We always strive to make Singapore a livable place with careful planning and maintained governmental stability," he said. He added that inclusive and sustainable education is key to remaining relevant and beneficial not only to Singapore but also to the world. "We ensure education is not only for the able-bodied but also for people with different abilities," he added.

The event aims to strengthen the relationship between Singapore and UIN Jakarta and open opportunities for future collaboration in various fields. Prof. Amelia Fauzia concluded the event by emphasizing the importance of multiracialism policy, which is at the heart of Singapore's policy for creating resilience and harmony in society. "Education and long-term planning are key to building a resilient and harmonious society," she affirmed. This public lecture reflects the commitment of both countries to build a better future through close cooperation and collaboration.