Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) recently welcomed a delegation of law students from Australia as part of the Indonesia Law, Governance, and Culture Study Tour, an international academic program jointly organized by the Centre for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta in collaboration with Western Sydney University and Deakin Law School.

The visit to UIII took place on 8 January 2026, and formed an integral part of the two-week study tour held from 3 to 18 January 2026 across several Indonesian cities. The program brought together 33 participants, comprising students from Australia as well as academic and local facilitators, with the aim of deepening their understanding of Indonesia’s legal system, governance, and socio-cultural context.

During their time at UIII, the Australian students attended a guest lecture delivered by Dr. Zezen Zaenal Mutaqin, S.J.D., Head of the Master’s Program in Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Islamic Studies. In the session, Dr. Zezen guided participants through a critical discussion on the relationship between Islam and the Indonesian state, offering an in-depth perspective on how Islamic and customary laws intersect with the national and democratic principles within Indonesia’s constitutional framework.

For many of the students, learning Indonesian law in an academic environment dedicated to advanced studies on Islam provided an experience that went beyond conventional comparative law courses. The lecture and subsequent discussion introduced them to Indonesia’s legal pluralism and illustrated how religious values are negotiated within modern legal and governance institutions. Through open dialogue, students were encouraged to reflect on Indonesia’s approach to managing diversity, constitutionalism, and the role of religion in public life.

Beyond the classroom, the participants also had the opportunity to explore the Jusuf Kalla Library, one of UIII’s most prominent landmarks that has recently gained wide public attention for its distinctive architecture and role as a modern academic hub. The visit offered the students a glimpse into UIII’s learning ecosystem, where scholarship, design, and community engagement intersect, reinforcing the university’s commitment to providing world-class academic facilities.

From UIII’s perspective, the visit reflected the university’s broader mission to serve as a global hub for intellectual exchange on Islam and the Muslim world. As an international graduate institution, UIII views engagements such as this study tour as part of its contribution to academic diplomacy, fostering mutual understanding between Indonesia and its regional partners.

The participation of students from Western Sydney University and Deakin Law School also underscored the growing academic ties between Indonesia and Australia. As the closest neighbor to Australia in the north, Indonesia occupies a significant place in regional legal and political dynamics. By engaging directly with scholars at UIII, the visiting students gained a more nuanced understanding of Indonesian law, one shaped by history, culture, and religious thought.

UIII’s involvement in the study tour reaffirmed its role as a meeting point for global scholarship, where international students can encounter Indonesian perspectives through dialogue rather than distance. The visit not only enriched the learning journey of the Australian participants, but also strengthened UIII’s commitment to promoting cross-cultural academic engagement in an increasingly interconnected world.