EU Representative Michal Weglarz Visits UIII, Paving a Way for Potential Collaboration

Contributor: Supriyono | Editor: Dadi Darmadi | Photo: Achmad Jatnika

Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) welcomed Michal Weglarz, a representative from the European Union (EU), to its campus in Depok on Monday, June 16, 2025. The visit marked the UIII’s global engagement efforts, particularly in expanding opportunities for international collaboration with European partners.

Mr. Weglarz was received by UIII’s top leadership, including Rector Prof. Jamhari, Head of Academic Senate Rifqi Muna, Ph.D., Director of Research and Cooperation Saiful Umam, Ph.D., and UIII lecturers Ridwan, Ph.D., Tati D. Wardi , Ph.D., and Haula Noor, Ph.D.

The discussions covered a range of strategic topics, with a shared commitment to promote educational access for underrepresented communities, including Muslim minorities in Europe and women from conflict-affected regions such as Afghanistan. Mr. Weglarz acknowledged the EU’s growing support for initiatives that provide scholarships for students from minority backgrounds, in collaboration with countries like the Netherlands and Germany.

In the meeting, UIII conveyed its vision to not only host international students from developing nations, but also to attract students from Europe who are interested in Islamic studies, interreligious dialogue, sustainable development, and global diplomacy. UIII believes that its interdisciplinary and cross-cultural academic environment offers a unique value proposition for European students seeking to engage with contemporary Muslim societies and global South perspectives.

In addition, Rector Prof. Jamhari highlighted that UIII plans to host several international conferences in 2025 and invited the European Union to contribute by sending delegates and experts in relevant fields. Mr. Weglarz welcomed this initiative enthusiastically and assured that he would communicate this request to his colleagues at the EU headquarters in Brussels to explore concrete support for UIII’s future academic engagements.

As UIII continues to expand its global footprint, the visit of Mr. Weglarz represents a promising gateway to new academic networks and a testament to the university’s aspiration to be a world-class institution rooted in universal values of dialogue, inclusion, and peace.