Strengthen Global Partnerships and Academic Collaboration, UIN Jakarta Explores ASEAN Uninet Membership
Austria, UIN News Online – UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta continues to expand its global footprint, building opportunities for international collaboration in education and research. As part of this initiative, a delegation from UIN Jakarta recently conducted a strategic visit to Austria, aiming to explore partnerships with the University of Graz and the Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD), as well as to pursue ASEAN Uninet membership.
The UIN Jakarta delegation, represented by Dr. Siti Ummi Masruroh, Zaenal Muttaqin, and Prof. Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem, focused on establishing collaborative frameworks in early childhood education, resilience research, and institutional branding during their visit. According to Prof. Maila, the delegation's mission included presenting UIN Jakarta as a potential ASEAN Uninet member, pursuing academic partnerships in early childhood mathematics education with the University of Graz, and meeting with experts in mental health and resilience, such as Dr. Sylvia Wamser, to lay the groundwork for future research initiatives.
ASEAN Uninet and UIN Jakarta’s Vision for Global Academic Engagement
ASEAN-European Academic University Network (ASEA Uninet) connects universities from Southeast Asia and Europe, providing a platform for international research and academic exchange. Membership in this network could enable UIN Jakarta to expand academic collaboration, promote student and faculty mobility, and support research initiatives. Prof. Maila emphasized the strategic value of this membership, stating, “Becoming part of ASEA Uninet is a milestone in enhancing our international reputation and building a strong global network that aligns with our vision of becoming a premier Islamic knowledge hub.”
Day One and Two: Strengthening Resilience Research Ties in Graz
The delegation’s visit began in Graz on November 2, 2024, with a research-focused meeting with Dr. Sylvia Wamser, a prominent expert in resilience and mental health. Discussions centered on developing supportive policies for humanitarian work and exploring international research funding opportunities, including potential Austrian grants. The meeting also covered publication strategies and funding proposal development to support resilience programs at UIN Jakarta.
In addition, the team engaged in discussions on institutional branding with Dr. Wamser’s communications team. Prof. Maila highlighted the importance of effective branding to enhance UIN Jakarta’s visibility as a modern, globally-oriented Islamic university.
Day Three: Advancing Early Childhood Mathematics Education at the University of Graz
On November 4, the delegation visited the University of Graz to discuss potential collaborations in early childhood mathematics education, particularly with the Professionalization Center for Early Childhood Education. University of Graz representatives presented key concepts and best practices in early childhood education. Prof. Maila noted, “By learning from University of Graz’s best practices, we can bring these insights to UIN Jakarta to enrich our approach to early childhood mathematics education.”
Day Four: Discussions at OeAD on UIN Jakarta as a Potential Host Institution for ASEA Uninet
The delegation then visited OeAD, an agency dedicated to promoting internationalization in Austrian higher education. Discussions included UIN Jakarta’s potential membership in ASEAN Uninet and the possibility of hosting specific ASEAN Uninet programs in Indonesia. Dr. Siti Ummi Masruroh expressed optimism about the collaboration, remarking, “This partnership opens vast opportunities for UIN Jakarta to strengthen our global academic network, advance collaborative research, and enhance UIN Jakarta’s role in international higher education.”
A meeting with Christoph Wayu Niederhauser from OeAD offered valuable insights into global branding strategies in higher education. Zaenal Muttaqin, Head of Public Relations and Information at UIN Jakarta, emphasized that learning these approaches could enhance UIN Jakarta’s visibility and engagement on the international stage.
Day Five: Collaborative Opportunities in Mental Health Research with MSF
On November 6, the UIN Jakarta delegation met with Marion Nitsch of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to discuss the potential for UIN Jakarta’s social science and anthropology research to support MSF’s global mental health initiatives. This meeting opened pathways for UIN Jakarta to engage in global health research and contribute insights on intervention strategies grounded in social research from Indonesia.
UIN Jakarta’s recent visit to Austria demonstrates its commitment to advancing academic capacity through international partnerships and institutional branding. By joining ASEAN Uninet and establishing strategic collaborations in education and research, UIN Jakarta aims to solidify its reputation as a globally recognized Islamic institution. This visit also holds promise for advancing resilience research, early childhood education, and international academic cooperation, paving the way for meaningful collaborations in the future.