Indralaya, South Sumatra—August 5, 2024—In a significant step towards enhancing educational collaboration, Prof. Dr. Jamhari, the Rector of the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII), visited Al-Ittifaqiah Islamic Boarding School (PPI) in Indralaya, South Sumatra on August 4th, 2024. He was warmly welcomed by Drs. KH. Mudrik Qori, MA, the Director of PPI, along with the school administrators and enthusiastic students.
The visit underscored the strong educational ties between the institutions. Both Prof. Jamhari and Kiai Mudrik share similar background and commitment to advancing Islamic education, creating a foundation for mutual admiration and collaboration. Kiai Mudrik, a recipient of the 2022 IKALUIN Award for Education Activists, and Professor Jamhari, who serves on PPI’s Advisory Council, highlighted their dedication to fostering educational excellence.
Inspiring Future Scholars
Prof. Jamhari addressed the students, sharing his journey from a pesantren student to a university rector. He emphasized the importance of determination, high aspirations, and the value of transformative education. “As Imam Shafi’i’s poem suggests, one must 'migrate' to achieve growth and transformation,” he explained, encouraging students to strive for excellence and global impact.
Kiai Mudrik detailed PPI’s impressive growth, highlighting its expansion to 7,847 students, 867 staff members, and overall 31,152 alumni. With eight campuses offering a comprehensive range of programs from kindergarten to postgraduate levels, PPI stands as a leading institution in South Sumatra. Kiai Mudrik also introduced the ambitious International Smart City of Al-Ittifaqiah Indralaya (ISCI) project. This 350-hectare project aims to create an integrated hub for education and public facilities, including schools, a hospital, and a mall.
Academic Exchange and Vision
Prof. Jamhari’s visit also featured a public lecture on “Strengthening IAIQI’s Internationalization for Rahmatan lil’alamin: Human Resources, Curriculum, and Collaboration.” This theme aligned with IAIQI’s goal of achieving university status by 2026. He expressed strong support for PPI’s development plans and IAIQI’s transition to a university, drawing parallels with the establishment of UIII. “I am optimistic that Kiai Mudrik’s grand vision for Al-Ittifaqiah and IAIQI will come to fruition. We are ready to collaborate and synergize with UIII to support this mission,” he affirmed.
The visit concluded with a tour of PPI’s campuses and the ISCI area, followed by a traditional Palembang lunch at the Kiai's residence. This visit not only strengthened academic ties but also paved the way for future collaborative endeavors, highlighting the potential for significant impacts on Islamic education in Indonesia.