NAIROBI, Kenya- In a significant move to bolster educational cooperation, the Islamic University of Kenya (IUK) has signed a partnership agreement with Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah (UIN) Jakarta, aiming to foster student exchanges and collaborative research.
The agreement, signed on October 10, 2024, in Jakarta, marks a new chapter in academic ties between Kenya and Indonesia, enhancing opportunities for both students and faculty members to expand their global academic experiences.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) paves the way for a broad range of academic collaborations between IUK and UIN Jakarta.
Signed by IUK Vice Chancellor Prof. Ali Said Sunkar and UIN’s Rector Prof. Asep Jahar, the partnership will enable the exchange of students and faculty members between the two institutions.
It’s not just about cultural exchange; the agreement opens doors for the development of joint academic programs and curriculum, providing students with a more comprehensive education that crosses borders.
According to Ambassador Galma Boru, Kenya’s representative to Indonesia, the partnership could significantly increase the number of Kenyan students pursuing higher education in Indonesia.
“In the last one and a half years, about 100 students have come to Indonesia. Some are working with international organizations like the UN, while others are making their mark as teachers and entrepreneurs,” said Boru during the signing ceremony.
The ambassador’s goal is to see that number grow to at least 1,000 students in the next two years—a bold ambition that this agreement could help realize.
Beyond student and faculty exchange, this partnership has a strong emphasis on research collaboration. IUK and UIN Jakarta will work together on conducting research, publishing scientific papers, and hosting international conferences that span various scholarly disciplines.
This collaboration is expected to generate new knowledge and foster innovation, further strengthening the academic standing of both universities on the global stage.
During the event, Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty, Director for Africa at Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a keynote speech commemorating 45 years of diplomatic ties between Kenya and Indonesia.
She highlighted the importance of such partnerships in deepening people-to-people relations and enhancing research collaborations between the two countries.
As Kenya continues to develop its academic and research capabilities, partnerships like this will play a crucial role in fostering innovation and elevating the country’s global academic profile.
This MoU comes at a significant moment in Kenya-Indonesia relations, with the inclusion of the African Union in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) discussions.
Moreover, the partnership provides an opportunity for the East African Community to tap into the ASEAN university networks, paving the way for future collaborations between the regions.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, academic partnerships like the one between IUK and UIN Jakarta are vital in building bridges of understanding, knowledge sharing, and cultural exchange.
