Yogyakarta, 22 August 2025 – UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is delighted to welcome Thomas Marien, an exchange student from KU Leuven University, Belgium, who will join the university’s Graduate School starting September 8, 2025 until January 2026.

During his stay, Thomas will immerse himself in the rich academic and cultural environment of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. His research will focus on the fascinating topic of how Walisongoshared his knowledge in spreading Islam in Java, a field that bridges history, religion, and cultural studies.

This exchange program is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UIN Sunan Kalijaga and KU Leuven University, reflecting the commitment of both institutions to strengthen international collaboration in higher education.

“We are very pleased to welcome Thomas to our campus. His presence will not only enrich academic discussions at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, but also strengthen our global partnership with KU Leuven University,” said a head International Office, Dr Witriyani and Asih Melati, PhD as representative of the International Office team.

The program is expected to foster cross-cultural understanding, academic exchange, and collaborative research opportunities between Indonesia and Belgium.

With this initiative, UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues its mission to build bridges across nations and empower future scholars through meaningful international cooperation.