KOTA SAMARAHAN, July 14: The international cooperation between Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and 40 Indonesian State Institutes of Islamic Studies (IAIN) will pave the way for exploring research strength across a wide range of fields.
This collaboration is set to propel both institutions forward, enabling progress and mutual success.
Its Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said the cooperation will also provide opportunities for UNIMAS to train lecturers from the religious higher education institute to study at the PHD level in UNIMAS.
“This is also an opportunity for them to enter the market to train and develop human resources in the field of higher education.
“UNIMAS definitely is very proud and honored to have been selected by the Indonesian Ministry of Islamic Education to collaborate with 40 higher education institutes and we will continue these efforts together with all the faculties in UNIMAS and give the best service to our cooperating partners,” he told reporters after the MoU Signing ceremony.
The anticipated positive outcomes extend beyond the universities themselves, hence, signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNIMAS and 40 IAIN and Universities of Islamic Studies (UAI) on July 13th will be a significant milestone in the relationship between UNIMAS and Indonesian higher education institutions.
He pointed out as the Islamic studies were introduced at UNIMAS last year, the MoU will provide UNIMAS with access to the expertise of IAIN/UAI academics.
The ceremony was held on July 13th, led by UNIMAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, witnessed by the Consul-General of Malaysia to Pontianak, His Excellency Azizul Zekri bin Abd Rahim, Mayor of Pontianak, His Excellency H. Edi Rusdi Kamtono, and Director of Islamic Higher Education, Ministry of Islamic Education, Prof Dr Ahmad Zainul Hamdi.
Meanwhile, Director of Islamic Higher Education, Ministry of Islamic Education, Prof Dr Ahmad Zainul Hamdi opined that the more important objective to be achieved through this cooperation is to improve the quality of studies between the universities.
“This collaboration will ultimately make us progress, becoming better and succeed together. I hope this event will be something good for the success of the two countries of Indonesia and Malaysia and between the universities in Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.
The MoU signing is the culmination of discussions that began earlier this year when Institut Agama Islam Negeri Pontianak (IAIN Pontianak) initiated an MoU with UNIMAS.
The collaboration has since expanded to include all the state institutes of Islamic studies and universities of Islamic studies in Indonesia, as well as UiTM Sarawak. – TVS
