Scholars of the Malay World Unite: UIN Jakarta and Malaysian Deans Pioneer New Academic Frontiers

JAKARTA, UIN Online News – UIN Jakarta welcomed a high-level delegation from the Council of Deans of Islamic Studies (MDPI) Malaysia at the Rectorate Building on Tuesday (4/28). This landmark visit aims to synchronize the strengths of Islamic higher education in Southeast Asia, focusing on collaborative research and the establishment of international Double Degree programs.

The Malaysian delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Fauzi bin Hamat, Chairman of MDPI and Dean of the Academy of Islamic Studies at Universiti Malaya (UM), included deans from Malaysia’s top-tier institutions, such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), and Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).

Enduring Legacy for Global Excellence

Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi Kharlie, greeted the delegation, emphasizing that the collaboration is not merely ceremonial but a strategic necessity.

"We are eager to translate this partnership into concrete actions. By aligning our faculties with Malaysia’s leading universities, we aim to create a 'pilot project' for institutional development. The global reputation of institutions like Universiti Malaya is a significant draw for our faculties to pursue meaningful collaboration," Prof. Tholabi stated.

This blossoming partnership is deeply rooted in the enduring legacy of the late Prof. Dr. H. Azyumardi Azra, M.Phil., M.A., CBE., the former Rector of UIN Jakarta and a towering figure in the Malay academic world.

Azyumardi Azra was instrumental in fostering cross-border intellectual ties, particularly through his staunch advocacy for Professorship programs for Malaysian scholars.

His influence within elite Malaysian academic circles laid the foundation for today’s diplomacy, transforming a mere institutional agreement into a shared cultural and intellectual mission across the Archipelago.

Navigating Bureaucracy: "Green Lights Only"

Addressing the complexities of cross-border academic bureaucracy, especially regarding Double Master’s programs, Prof. Mohammad Fauzi bin Hamat offered a poetic yet optimistic outlook.

“We haven’t turned off the engine; we’ve simply paused at a traffic light. As soon as it turns green, we will move full speed ahead. If this model succeeds at UIN Jakarta, it will serve as the blueprint for our future expansions,” Prof. Fauzi asserted.

Reinforcing this optimism, Prof. Selamah binti Maamor from UUM shared their success stories with other Indonesian Islamic universities. She highlighted that effective curriculum alignment can often bypass rigid ministerial bureaucracy if managed through agile institutional strategies.

Matching Grants and Scholarly Synergy

The meeting reached a consensus on strengthening research through Matching Grant schemes. Under this framework, joint research teams will tackle contemporary global issues, including religious moderation, Islamic economics, and combating Islamophobia.

The academic exchange was further enriched by UIN Jakarta’s prominent scholars, including Prof. Ismatu Ropi (Dean of Ushuluddin), Prof. Zulkifli (Director of the Graduate School), and Prof. Kamarusdiana (Vice Dean of Sharia and Law). They offered collaborative publication opportunities in UIN’s world-renowned journals, such as Studia Islamika and Ahkam, while the Malaysian delegation provided access to Universiti Malaya’s Scopus-indexed journals, Afkar and Fiqh.

(Khoirillah/Irfan Mufid/Zaenal M./Arifin Ilham/Photos: Tiara Abdhie)