Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) and the Palestinian academic institution, An-Najah National University (ANNU), have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening institutional relations and developing robust academic and cultural exchanges. The agreement was formally executed on April 23, 2026, by UIII Rector, Prof. Dr. Jamhari, and ANNU President, Prof. Dr. Abdel Naser Zaid.

The strategic partnership emphasizes the role of higher education and scientific research as powerful instruments for soft diplomacy and the enhancement of intellectual and civilizational capacity. The two institutions share a unified vision to serve the Islamic world and humanity by promoting values of moderation, fostering interreligious dialogue, and actively contributing to global peace.

Prof. Jamhari emphasized his commitment to maximizing the potential of this partnership, expressing a strong desire to welcome more Palestinian students and faculty to UIII. “We are opening our doors for students, lecturers, and researchers from your university to join us here. Likewise, we look forward to facilitating active academic and staff exchanges from our university to ANNU,” he stated.

Under this agreement, UIII will serve as a principal academic partner for ANNU’s outreach and programs in the Asian region and the Global South.

Key Pillars of the Collaborative Framework

The five-year agreement outlines several primary areas for structured and sustainable cooperation:

• Educational Diplomacy and Peacebuilding: The institutions will work collaboratively to promote the Indonesian model of Islamic moderation, prevent and address hate speech and Islamophobia, and build strong bridges of dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures.
• Scholarships and Academic Mobility: The partnership establishes programs for student exchanges and visiting scholars. It also introduces degree and non-degree scholarship opportunities, prioritizing students from Muslim countries facing educational constraints or crises.
• Youth and Ulama Leadership Development: UIII and ANNU will design and implement global Islamic leadership programs alongside short-term training focused on religious moderation for young leaders and religious figures.
• Heritage Revitalization and Arabic Studies: A joint center will be established dedicated to the revitalization of Islamic heritage and the advancement of the Arabic language. The center’s focus will include the critical editing, publication, and digitization of historical manuscripts, as well as offering specialized academic Arabic programs for non-native speakers.
• Global Academic Forums: The universities commit to organizing annual, rotating international conferences addressing contemporary themes such as peaceful coexistence and the role of Muslims in world peace.

This collaboration ultimately aims to prepare a new generation of highly competent Muslim leaders equipped with civilizational insight, capable of addressing the contemporary challenges of the Islamic world through knowledge-based solutions.