UIII Library Unit Holds Friendraising Cultural Night

The Central Library Unit of Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) held a Friendsraising Cultural Night event to broaden connections between the UIII cultural center and stakeholders. This activity was attended by all of the UIII civitas academica, the Director General of Islamic Education from the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia (Dirjen Pendis), and invited guests from various groups from within and outside the country. This cultural activity was held at the Procession Hall, UIII Rectorate building, Depok, Saturday, December 10, 2022.

R. Franki S. Notosudirdjo as UIII's Cultural Consultant revealed that this event aims to be able to carry out the commitment that UIII can become a center of education and also culture. So, in its implementation, support from various parties is needed so that both can run. He sees that various campuses with high-profile names in the world have cultural centers that go hand in hand with their academics.

“The purpose of this event is to invite all the people who will be able to help us carry out cultural programs, especially next year. However, our next goal is for the program to run sustainably. Because the campus, apart from being known as an institution that has academic quality, must also be known as an institution that has quality cultural life," he said.

This cultural activity also has the aim of carrying out the function of student habitus to come into contact with cultural activities within the campus environment. In addition, this activity is expected to build connections with stakeholders from within and outside the country to support cultural activities on the UIII campus in the future.

In line with the aim of becoming a center of excellence in the field of education and a global intercultural platform, through this event, Franki revealed that this activity could be the initial bridge in building international networks between UIII and other campuses, as well as cultural centers of other countries in the international world, so that can continue to monitor the development of global science and culture.

The hope is that UIII can build insight and awareness to accommodate the existentialist needs of students who will later be tasked with becoming actors in the process of transforming the society in which they live.

"Besides that, there will be an even more important event later, namely we open the floor to ask them to provide comments or responses, suggestions, and more important commitments, that later after we present our program, Insha Allah will be willing to help us, one way or another. Maybe they also have suggestions for us, so we are completely open, this is our effort to carry out cooperation with them," he explained.

Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Ali Ramdani revealed that in this event he enjoyed a collaboration of various cultures to see similarities. “Telling about diversity actually tells a story about us. And today we find various beauties from diversity because diversity gives birth to beauty and strength. The power to build togetherness, because basically when we talk about culture, we talk about beauty. Art based on belief," he said.

In this activity, an overview of the cultural center at UIII was delivered by R. Franki, and presented several performances, such as performances from the Indonesian National Orchestra. According to him, the appearance of the Indonesian National Orchestra will be a representation of Indonesia's musical culture which is very diverse and high quality. According to him, this group also plays musical instruments departing from tradition, not original traditional music, but modern music.

"They depart from tradition, so their characteristics are still very strong, and this is something new, not yet available in Indonesia. Usually, a traditional instrument for playing traditional music, but this [orchestral performance] is not. This is a combination of the wealth of musicians' creativity, plus the richness of Indonesian music culture. Yesterday they played at the G20 event, yesterday they also returned from Germany, from Europe, they play musical instruments from various regions and they themselves play the music that departs from tradition," said Franki.

Currently, UIII already has 64 foreign students from 21 countries who are continuing their education at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Education. The UIII campus will have various facilities that can support cultural programs, such as a recital/theater hall, screening room, art gallery, cultural house, amphitheater, and outdoor venues.

More From News

Harmony in Diversity: New Year Celebration at UIII

Eight New Officials Inaugurated by Rector of UIII

Indonesian Artist, Franki Raden, Serving as Consultant at the Cultural Center of UIII