Visiting UIN Jakarta, Azerbaijani Ambassador Initiates Academic Cooperation

Rectorate Building, UIN Online News—The Azerbaijani government through the Embassy of Azerbaijan for Indonesia initiated academic cooperation with UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. The initiation of cooperation was marked by the direct visit of the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Jalal Sabir Mirzayev, to the UIN Jakarta campus, Thursday (4/4/2024).

Ambassador Jalal's visit, accompanied by several embassy staff, was received directly by the Rector of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar. Accompanying Rector Asep Jahar were vice rectors, bureau chiefs, institute chairs, and others.

In his speech, Ambassador Jalal revealed that their visit was part of strengthening international cooperation between the Azerbaijani government and the government and society of Indonesia in the higher education sector. Strengthening cooperation, he said, is highly aligned considering the many similarities between the two countries, both majority Muslim nations with a focus on strengthening the higher education sector for their societies.

"And, we see UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta as one of the ideal universities for us to establish academic cooperation with higher education institutions in Azerbaijan," he said.

It is known that this country, with its capital in Baku, has a population of around 10.6 million people, the majority of whom are registered as Muslims. In the education sector, Azerbaijan asserts education as the right of every citizen, providing free compulsory education up to the secondary level, and control over the education system and minimum education standards.

For higher education, Azerbaijan is known to have dozens of public and private universities. Among them are Baku State University, Khazar University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Mirza Fath Ali Akhundzade Pedagogical Institute for Languages, Azerbaijan Medical University, and others.

In this regard, Ambassador Jalal is ready to facilitate more specific academic partnerships between UIN Jakarta and various universities in his country. Furthermore, he also opens up the possibility of sending students and teachers for study or research between the two countries.

The initiation of academic cooperation by Ambassador Jalal himself was directly appreciated by Rector Asep Jahar. The Rector welcomed the idea of cooperation and expressed UIN Jakarta's readiness to welcome Azerbaijani students by opening wide doors through its 12 faculties and one graduate school offering various fields of study, including Islamic studies, law, communication, economics, science, health, and medicine.

"We are committed to providing an inclusive and quality academic environment for Azerbaijani students," he said.

Furthermore, the Rector requested immediate scheduling for the signing of cooperation agreements between UIN Jakarta and the Embassy of Azerbaijan, as a concrete step to start this cooperation. He also encouraged various faculties to follow up on cooperation in their academic developments. (Ahmad Matin/Aditya Wardhana/HMN/ZM/Faadhila Idris)