UIII Rector Welcomes Singaporean Minister, Emphasizes Shared Vision for Regional Cooperation

DEPOK - During the visit of Prof. Muh. Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development of Singapore, to UIII on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, the Rector of UIII, Prof. Dr. Jamhari, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential collaboration between the two institutions. The meeting, held in the Rector Meeting Room of the UIII Rectorate Building, was attended by various university officials who shared their perspectives on the future of regional cooperation.

Prof. Dr. Jamhari warmly welcomed the Singaporean delegation, highlighting UIII's commitment to fostering international partnerships and enhancing educational opportunities in Southeast Asia. "We are honored to have Minister Ibrahim and his team visit our campus. This is a significant step towards building a stronger relationship between our institutions," he stated.

The Minister expressed his interest in developing collaborations and encouraging students from Singapore to study at UIII. "We need to collaborate and see if we can work together, as we work closely with several relevant institutions," he stated. Prof. Ibrahim also inquired about what UIII offers and its original history, emphasizing the importance of showcasing moderate Islam.

Coming from an academic background himself, the Minister highlighted the importance of academic freedom for a good higher education institution like UIII. "Other aspects include being inclusive. As a politician, I serve everyone. I am here to help people as human beings," he added.

Rector Prof. Jamhari explained the impetus behind the establishment of UIII and the university's goals. "Academic freedom is essential, and we provide scholarships for international students funded by government budgets, international agencies, and individual donations," he stated. Prof. Jamhari also introduced all key university officials present at the meeting.

Dr. Syafiq Hasyim, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and a lecturer in the Faculty of Islamic Studies, emphasized the need to reconnect with religious institutions like the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and continue cooperations. "As an Islamic institution, we're inclusive," he noted.

Dr. Rifqi Muna, the Chairman of UIII's Academic Senate, highlighted UIII's international support, mentioning that the university has female students from Afghanistan supported by the governments of the Netherlands and Norway.

The positive response from UIII's leadership and faculty in this occasion underscores the university's commitment to building meaningful partnerships and enhancing its role as a hub for academic excellence in the region.

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