H.E. Ambassador Pribadi Sutiono Pledges to Promote UIII to Slovakia

Indonesian Ambassador to Slovakia, H.E. Pribadi Sutiono, is committed to promoting Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) to Slovakia. During his visit to UIII on Thursday, October 3, 2024, the Ambassador expressed deep admiration for the university and outlined his commitment to building stronger academic and cultural ties between the two countries.

Ambassador Pribadi remarked that UIII represents a significant step forward for Indonesia, not just in higher education but in how Indonesians present themselves to the world. His visit, which included discussions with UIII Rector Prof. Jamhari and representatives from Comenius University in Bratislava, solidified his resolve to promote UIII to Slovakian students.

Central to his enthusiasm is UIII’s potential to challenge existing perceptions of Islam in Slovakia. “In many parts of Europe, including Slovakia, Islam is often associated with the Middle East and North Africa. But UIII offers something different, a uniquely Indonesian perspective on the faith,” he explained. He saw this as a key opportunity for Slovak students to engage with a more diverse and inclusive understanding of Islam.

Hence, the Ambassador vowed to promote UIII through the Indonesian Embassy in Slovakia. “I’m confident that once students in Slovakia learn about the rich academic offerings here at UIII, especially in the field of Islamic studies or other disciplines, they will be intrigued. Our role at the embassy is to make sure they hear about it,” he said with conviction.

Additionally, Ambassador Pribadi also sees opportunities for deeper academic collaboration between UIII and Slovak institutions, particularly in the area of library sciences. After touring UIII’s Central Library, he expressed interest in facilitating the digitization of its valuable collections in partnership with Slovak universities.

Currently, UIII hosts hundreds of students from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and America. With his commitment to advocating for UIII in Slovakia, Ambassador Pribadi’s visit signals a new chapter of academic and cultural exchange, positioning UIII as a bridge between Indonesia and Europe, and as a key player in reshaping global perceptions of Islam.