IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Collaborates with Mindanao State University in the Internationalization Effort Toward the Transition to UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon
IAIN Cirebon – IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon marked a new milestone in its transition to becoming UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon by hosting an info session with Mindanao State University, Philippines. This event represents a significant step in the university's internationalization efforts, focusing on strengthening the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly in the areas of Southeast Asian Islamic civilization history, the halal industry, and student and faculty exchange programs. The event took place on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
In his statement, the Director of the International Office at IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon, Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D., said, "We are very excited to announce our collaboration with Mindanao State University. This is an important step in our efforts to expand our international network, enrich academic experiences, and improve the quality of education in key areas such as the history of Southeast Asian Islamic civilization and the halal industry. Specifically, this partnership will strengthen the intellectual foundation of IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon in Islamic studies, and it directly responds to the mandate from the Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform that UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon must further enhance its expertise in Islamic studies while also developing its cyber education aspects."
Meanwhile, Prof. Abdul Lantong, the Dean of the Institute for Islamic Arabic and International Studies at Mindanao State University, also welcomed this collaboration, saying, "We believe that cooperation with IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon will open new opportunities for our students and staff to engage in valuable knowledge and experience exchanges."
Professor Najifah Macaraya, a Sociology Professor from Mindanao State University, also welcomed the collaboration plans between the two campuses, noting that both institutions share a global vision and can mutually exchange intellectual strengths over the long term.
The main areas of cooperation between these two institutions will focus on (1) strengthening the history of Southeast Asian Islamic civilization through collaborative research, publications, and scientific seminars to deepen and expand understanding of Islamic civilization in Southeast Asia; (2) joint research and development in the halal industry, including the development and certification of halal products, as well as opportunities for cooperation in education and training related to the halal industry; (3) student and faculty exchanges aimed at providing opportunities for students and staff to participate in exchange programs, internships, and collaborative research at both institutions, and community service projects.
The info session was attended by the Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) (Dr. Faqihuddin Abdul Kodir) along with his secretary (Wakhit Hasyim, M.Hum); the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Aqidah (FUA) (Wakhid Nashruddin, Ph.D.), several department heads within the FUA, and the Vice Dean 1 for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training (Dr. Atikah Syamsi); the Coordinator for Foreign Cooperation at the International Office (Ema Wilianti Dewi), and Professor Didin Nurul Rosidin, Ph.D. (Professor of the History of Islamic Civilization at IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon).
The info session between IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon and Mindanao State University is expected to mark the beginning of a sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership between the two higher education institutions. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAIN Syekh Nurjati Cirebon and Mindanao State University will take place shortly after the Eid al-Fitr 2024 holiday, and the implementation of international programs between the two campuses will commence soon after the relevant faculties sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
