Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Achmad Jatnika
As part of the 2024 Academic Convocation Week, the new students of Universitas Islam International Indonesia (UIII) were exposed to the reflections of the university’s history, vision, mission, and core values. Held at the Lecture Hall 6th Floor of the UIII Rectorate building, the session was presented by University Secretary Dr. Chaider S. Bamualim, MA, and moderated by Drs. Dadi Darmadi, MA, Head of the Office of Media and Communication.
Dr. Chaider began by highlighting Indonesia’s prominent role in the global Islamic community, stating, "Indonesia is not only the world’s most populous Muslim country, but it also serves as a beacon of democracy and moderate Islamic thought." He explained that UIII was founded to fill the void of a globally recognized institution representing Indonesia’s intellectual leadership in Islamic studies.
With a clear sense of purpose, Dr. Chaider shared UIII’s ambitious vision: "UIII strives to be a world-class institution, fostering innovation and producing pioneering research that addresses the challenges of our time." This bold mission resonated deeply with the audience, particularly as he spoke about promoting Wasathiyah Islam—an approach rooted in moderation and peace—as the foundation for UIII’s academic and cultural identity.
The session underscored the university’s mission to deliver exceptional education while building strategic global partnerships to further its influence. "UIII is committed to advancing knowledge not only for academic purposes but to drive global dialogue and create solutions for contemporary challenges," Dr. Chaider explained.
Throughout the session, the students were visibly engaged, especially when Dr. Chaider recounted UIII’s rapid development. He traced the institution’s journey from its inception in 2015 during a presidential meeting to the groundbreaking ceremony in 2018 and the commencement of its first academic year in 2021. “UIII is more than just a university,” Dr. Chaider concluded. “It’s a vision for the future of Islamic education, a symbol of Indonesia’s role in promoting peace and progress on the world stage.”