DEPOK, February 13, 2026 – The Indonesian Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) reached out to academia on Friday, inviting Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) to collaborate on government programs and international engagements, particularly as Indonesia prepares to host the D-8 Summit this April.

Head of the Ministry’s Public Relations Bureau, Mr. Eddy Cahyono Sugiarto, paid a working visit to the UIII campus to introduce a range of ministerial programs and encourage inter-institutional cooperation. The visit emphasized opening doors for UIII faculty and researchers to participate in activities hosted by the State Secretariat, from public communication initiatives to high-level diplomatic events.

He was warmly welcomed by Prof. Jamhari Makruf, the Rector of UIII, and several university executives such as Dr. Chaider S. Bamualim, the university secretary and Prof. Dr. Amsal Bakhtiar, the vice rector for administration and finance.

“We are inviting UIII to take an active role. There are many entry points for collaboration, not just in academic activities, but also in supporting strategic government agendas,” said Eddy during the meeting.

He highlighted the importance of synergy between government and academic institutions in creating an informed and optimistic public sphere. Drawing from his office’s ongoing partnerships with media outlets, Eddy noted that universities like UIII could serve as sources of credible information and constructive discourse.

Prof. Jamhari said that such engagement would align with UIII’s mission as an international university and would provide students with direct exposure to multilateral diplomacy.

A Platform for Academic Diplomacy

The visit gained further momentum when Dr. Philips Vermonte, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FOSS) at UIII, proposed a concrete form of collaboration: involving the university in the upcoming D-8 Summit, which Indonesia will host in April 2026.

Vermonte suggested that UIII is ready to help organize side events during the summit. His proposal included bringing D-8 delegations to the campus for public lectures, seminars, or even an international conference involving all eight member countries.

“We have the capacity and the network to facilitate academic-forum-style diplomacy. A side event at UIII would not only enrich the summit but also position Indonesian higher education as a key player in global Islamic and development discourse,” Vermonte said.

Eddy responded positively to the proposal, stating that the Ministry would consider integrating academic participation into the D-8 agenda. “This is the kind of cross-sector collaboration we want to encourage. We will bring this idea back and explore how UIII can be involved,” he said.

Strengthening Public Communication and Cross-Sector Ties

The visit to UIII is part of a broader push by Kemensetneg under the leadership of Minister Prasetyo Hadi to strengthen public communication and expand partnerships beyond government circles. Eddy has been actively promoting initiatives such as the Free Nutritious Meals program and food sovereignty, and has stressed the strategic role of both media and academia in ensuring accurate public information.

Since 2024, Eddy has led similar outreach efforts to media outlets and public institutions, advocating for a collaborative ecosystem that supports the vision of “Indonesia Maju” (Advanced Indonesia).

Friday’s engagement at UIII marks the first official visit by Kemensetneg to the campus, setting the stage for what both parties hope will be a sustained partnership, one that bridges governance, education, and international affairs. []