Depok, Indonesia — After the grandeur of Convocation’s opening day, the second day of Orientation Week (O-Week) on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) shifted the spotlight to something more intimate: helping students understand the soul of the university they are about to call home.

The day began with a look back at UIII’s historical background, vision, and core values, delivered by Dr. Chaider S. Bamualim, University Secretary, and Drs. Dadi Darmadi, Head of the Media and Communication Office. For many new students, this session was a revelation: UIII is not just a place for lectures and research, but a project of hope, envisioned as a bridge between Indonesia’s Islamic heritage and the world’s pressing challenges.

That sense of purpose was then grounded in practicalities. Dr. Phil. Syafiq Hasyim, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, alongside Dr. Muammar Kadafi, Head of Academic Administration, walked students through the academic system. From grading to program structures, their session aimed to turn the unknown into something manageable, reassuring students that they would not be navigating this journey alone.

But it wasn’t all about aspirations and systems. The afternoon took on a more reflective tone when Rifqi Muna, Ph.D., Head of the Academic Senate, and Rizky Wisnoentoro, Ph.D., Head of the Master of Finance in Sustainable Finance program, outlined the Student Code of Conduct. Their message was clear: life at UIII is as much about character as it is about scholarship. Academic integrity, respect for diversity, and responsibility to the community were underscored as the backbone of UIII’s identity.

Interspersed between these sessions were moments of connection—students sharing thoughts with peers from across 28 different countries, exchanging first impressions, and quietly realizing that they are part of something larger than themselves. If Day 1 celebrated UIII’s global mission, Day 2 was about grounding that vision in daily practice, preparing students for the intellectual and ethical challenges ahead.

As Orientation Week continues, with faculty introductions, cultural exchanges, and campus tours still to come, Day 2 will likely be remembered as the moment the lofty ideals of UIII became personal. For many students, it was the first time they truly felt what it means to belong to this unique international academic community.