Syrian Minister of Awqaf Explores Academic Collaboration with UIN Jakarta

Rectorate Building, UIN Online News — In line with its internationalization agenda, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta continues to expand its global academic and religious partnerships with leading institutions worldwide. One of the most recent initiatives is the exploratory meeting on academic and religious cooperation with institutions from the Syrian Arab Republic, marked by an official visit from the Syrian Minister of Awqaf, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Abu al-Khair Shukri, to the UIN Jakarta campus on Friday (31/10/2025).

The visit served as an opportunity for both UIN Jakarta and the Syrian delegation to explore potential collaborations, particularly in the areas of student and faculty exchanges, academic development, and Islamic scholarship. Minister Shukri was accompanied by the Mufti of Damascus, Mr. Abdul Fattah al-Bazm, along with several Syrian university deans and senior officials.

The delegation was received by UIN Jakarta Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., accompanied by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi, S.Ag., S.H., M.H., M.A., and Vice Rector for Cooperation Dr. Din Wahid, M.A. The reception was also attended by faculty deans and institutional leaders from across UIN Jakarta.

In his remarks, Asep Saepudin Jahar expressed his appreciation and respect for the minister’s visit. He reaffirmed UIN Jakarta’s openness to building partnerships with Syrian universities and government bodies, noting that such collaboration would significantly strengthen academic, scientific, and cultural relations between the two countries.

“Syria is one of the Arab nations renowned for its excellence in Arabic language instruction. Through this partnership, we can develop exchange programs for lecturers and students, as well as open pathways for student mobility to Syria. There is much we can learn from Syria, particularly in advancing Islamic studies and enhancing higher education management,” said the Rector of UIN Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Syrian Minister of Awqaf H.E. Dr. Muhammad Abu al-Khair Shukri stated that the visit aimed to reinforce scholarly and religious relations between the Syrian Ministry of Awqaf and the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, especially through cooperation with UIN Jakarta.

“We are delighted to reopen academic and cultural cooperation between universities in al-Sham and Indonesia. We hope Indonesian students will have the opportunity to study in Damascus and learn from the outstanding scholars of the Syrian region,” he remarked.

Adding to the discussion, Vice Rector for Cooperation Dr. Din Wahid, M.A., affirmed UIN Jakarta’s readiness to follow up on the visit through the preparation of an MoU and an MoA between the two institutions.

“We will soon take concrete steps to formalize and strengthen this partnership, including lecturer and student exchanges, joint research initiatives, and programs to enhance Arabic language proficiency and Islamic studies. This reflects UIN Jakarta’s commitment to expanding global collaboration,” he assured.

For more information, UIN Jakarta has established numerous international partnerships with prominent universities across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. These collaborations include academic exchanges, joint research, curriculum development, and institutional capacity building, positioning UIN Jakarta as a leading hub for global Islamic scholarship.

(Meisa Aqilah N.H./Fauziah M./Zaenal M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photos: Hermanuddin dan Tiara Abdhie)