Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) and Turkey-based Yunus Emre Institute took a significant step in their ongoing collaboration by outlining concrete actions to kick off the initial programs under their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
On Friday, September 27, 2024, Yunus Emre representatives Dr. Cemal Sahin, Rizkya Prinanda, and Zuhdi Izdihar, visited the UIII campus, to discuss the follow-up collaborative programs. They were hosted by UIII Rector Prof. Jamhari and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Phil. Syafiq Hasyim.The Yunus Emre Institute, founded by the Turkish government in 2007, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Turkish language, culture, and arts globally. Named in honor of the renowned 14th-century poet Yunus Emre, the institute strives to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Turkey's rich cultural heritage around the world.
With the MoU already in place, the focus of this meeting was to move from planning to implementation. Both institutions have committed to launching a series of academic and cultural initiatives, starting with the hosting of Turkish lecturers across UIII’s four faculties. These lecturers will not only teach the Turkish language but will also contribute to a wide array of subjects at the faculties.
"We are eager to see Turkish academics actively involved in our educational programs, expanding our horizons beyond language learning to include broader academic contributions such as teaching and research collaboration," Prof. Jamhari remarked. This initiative is expected to strengthen UIII’s position as a hub for international collaboration.
Another major outcome of the meeting was the planned Indonesia-Turkey seminar series set to debut in 2024. The meeting also explored the possibility of public lectures at UIII, with support from the Turkish Embassy. Additionally, UIII is also seeking to formalize partnerships with top Turkish universities, following the existing MoU already in place with Ankara University.
Furthermore, a plan to establish a "Turkish Corner" at UIII was also discussed. This dedicated space would host seminars, language classes, and cultural activities, creating a focal point for Turkey-Indonesia educational and cultural exchanges.
UIII and Yunus Emre Institute formalized their MoU in May this year, signed by the President of Yunus Emre Institute, Prof. ?eref Ate?, and the UIII Rector Prof. Jamhari. The collaboration underscored the commitment of both institutions to fostering educational and cultural ties.