UIN Jakarta Explores Double Degree Opportunities with French Universities

France, UIN News Online – UIN Jakarta is exploring partnerships with universities in France to develop double degree programs, potentially opening new international study opportunities for students across Islamic higher education institutions in Indonesia.

The initiative is being discussed in connection with the Indonesia Bangkit Scholarship, a Ministry of Religious Affairs scholarship scheme designed to expand access to international higher education. Through this collaboration, outstanding study programs at Islamic Religious Higher Education Institutions (PTKI) could gain opportunities to establish academic partnerships with leading French universities.

Prof. Khamami Zada, a professor and head of UIN Jakarta’s Institute for Quality Assurance, said the proposed program is expected to strengthen the quality and international competitiveness of Islamic higher education.

“The double degree program in France is intended to improve the quality of PTKI by providing outstanding study programs with opportunities to access partnerships with leading French universities,” he said in France on October 12, 2026.

Khamami added that the initiative supports the Indonesian government's broader efforts to expand international partnerships, including those promoted by President Prabowo Subianto through Indonesia-France diplomatic engagement. His meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris earlier this year was part of efforts to broaden Indonesia's global partnerships, strengthen its presence in Europe, and create opportunities that serve national interests, including in education.

The initiative also aligns with Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar's vision of strengthening international cooperation in higher education, particularly through scholarship programs managed by the Ministry's Center for Education Financing for Religious and Religious Education (Puspenma).

Khamami noted that Puspenma has provided fully funded overseas scholarships for Indonesian students to pursue studies at universities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye, Japan, China, and other countries.

“These scholarships represent a serious investment by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in improving the quality of higher education,” he said.

The discussions involved Ludovic Khamchane, French Attaché for Educational Cooperation, and Prof. Arif Zamhari, head of UIN Jakarta's International Office. Khamami, who previously studied in France, emphasized the strategic importance of international academic partnerships that broaden access to higher education.

“France has considerable influence in developing new initiatives in education,” he said, adding that the proposal had received a positive response from Khamchane.

Khamami expressed confidence that cooperation between Indonesia and France, supported by the Indonesia Bangkit Scholarship, could contribute to the long-term development of Indonesia's human resources. He said the benefits of investment in higher education would become increasingly visible over the next decade or two.

“Indonesia's Golden Vision 2045 must be prepared by improving the quality of higher education through international cooperation,” he said.