The delegation from the Embassy of Malaysia to Indonesia visited the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta campus on Friday, November 8, 2024. They were welcomed by the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, M.Phil. The Malaysian Ambassador, H.E. Dato’ Syed Mohammad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, expressed his delight at the warm reception from UIN Sunan Kalijaga. He shared his enthusiasm for establishing further collaborations with this oldest Islamic higher education institution (PTKIN) in Indonesia. In his welcoming speech, Dato’ Syed Mohammad Hasrin Tengku Hussin mentioned that one of the Embassy's responsibilities is ensuring the legal status of the 1,100 Malaysian students in Indonesia. He emphasized, “It is also important for students to develop skills beyond academics because soft skills are highly valuable for them, including environmental awareness, such as appreciating Jogja’s rich Keraton and Merapi cultural heritage!”

At the same time, the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, M.Phil., expressed his pride in hosting the Malaysian Embassy's delegation. “Currently, we have 70 study programs, some of which have received the highest level of accreditation and are internationally recognized. In the future, we plan to open more study programs while also strengthening networks and collaborations with various partners through activities such as joint or double degree programs and collaborative research, both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.”

In the afternoon, Dr. Haznur Faisal from Education Malaysia Indonesia (EMI) and Dr. Abdur Rozaki, Vice-Rector for Cooperation, held a follow-up meeting to discuss further collaboration plans. Facilitated by the Head of the Center for Development and International Affairs (CDCIA) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Witriani highlighted that UIN Sunan Kalijaga has established collaborations with 10 universities in Malaysia. However, she noted that these visits and collaborations remain sporadic and lack a structured framework. Addressing this, Dr. Rozaki expressed his hope that UIN Sunan Kalijaga could not only establish structured and sustainable relationships but also have a broader impact on international diplomacy through educational programs benefiting universities and the wider communities in both countries.

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Haznur Faisal from EMI highlighted numerous opportunities for UIN Sunan Kalijaga to engage in further collaborations and ensure their continuity. For instance, EMI could connect UIN Sunan Kalijaga with 10 other state universities across Malaysia. Additionally, collaboration opportunities extend beyond the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). EMI can facilitate agreements that advance to Memorandums of Agreement (MoAs), which would formalize both academic and non-academic activities, such as competitions or arts and cultural festivals, tailored to the respective departments in both neighboring regions. These opportunities are wide open, and EMI is eager to connect UIN Sunan Kalijaga with various universities in Malaysia.

The meeting concluded with a token of appreciation presented by CDCIA to the EMI delegation from Malaysia.