UIN Jakarta to Celebrate 45 Years of Indonesia-Kenya Diplomacy with Seminar on International Collaboration

Jakarta, UIN News Online – In a significant move to strengthen ties between Indonesia and Kenya, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta is set to host a seminar commemorating 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The event, themed “Closer Relations, Stronger Cooperations,” will take place in the Diorama Room at UIN Jakarta on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

This seminar aims to reinforce bilateral relations and promote cooperation across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on education. The event is expected to bring together prominent figures, including UIN Jakarta Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., Indonesian Ambassador to Kenya Dr. H.E. Mohamad Hery Saripudin, and Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty, Director for Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who will all deliver opening remarks.

A diverse lineup of speakers will enrich the discussions, featuring experts such as Prof. Ali Said Sunkar, Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Kenya, and H.E. Galma Mukhe Boru, Ambassador of Kenya to Indonesia. Additionally, Drs. Isy Karim, M.Si., from the Ministry of Trade, and Dr. Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director of CSIS Indonesia, will contribute their insights on trade and economic collaboration.

In his address, Rector Asep Jahar will underscore the importance of international collaboration in enhancing global relationships through education. He will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rector of the Islamic University of Kenya (IUK), marking a new phase in academic partnership aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and institutional development.

Ambassador Mohamad Hery Saripudin will discuss Indonesia’s diplomatic successes in Kenya and strategies for further strengthening these bilateral ties. Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty will elaborate on the role of the Indonesia-Africa Forum in unlocking new avenues for strategic cooperation.

The seminar will also delve into the vital role of youth in maintaining bilateral relations, with presentations from key figures like Faisal Nurdin Idris, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Prof. Ali Said Sunkar, who will highlight the significance of university collaborations in enhancing cultural ties.

In terms of economic discussions, Drs. Isy Karim, M.Si., will outline steps to boost bilateral trade, while Dr. Yose Rizal Damuri will analyze opportunities for Indonesian products in the Kenyan market.

The event will conclude with a personal story from Charity Maina, a Kenyan scholarship awardee studying at the University of Indonesia, who will share her experiences and insights on studying in Indonesia.

Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem, Head of the International Cooperation Service Center at UIN Jakarta, expressed hopes that this seminar would further solidify the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Kenya. “Through this collaboration, we aim to create broader opportunities for cooperation in the future between the people of both nations,” she remarked.

This seminar follows UIN Jakarta's previous initiatives to foster academic ties with Kenyan institutions, including a partnership with Umma University Kenya initiated in 2021. The collaboration has been strengthened through the organization of the International Conference on Islamic and Interdisciplinary Studies (ICIIS) alongside various universities.

The Indonesian Embassy in Kenya has been a strong supporter of this collaboration, particularly in the fields of education, research, and community service, emphasizing the importance of celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (Release from the Information & Public Relations Center of UIN Jakarta)