The representative of University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI) and Yayasan Pesantren Islam Al-Azhar (YPI Al-Azhar) had a meeting with The Coordinator of International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) Nigeria, Dr. Aliyu Tanko. in Taiwan-Indonesia Urban Environment Change and Land Resource Management Research Center (TIUL) room on the second floor of UAI on Tuesday (11/10).
The intention of the visit was to socialize the integration of knowledge to every Islamic University and one of them, UAI. IIIT Nigeria believed that in the middle of many influences today, integration of knowledge can be the foundation to every Islamic Academica to blend with the modern world. As we know, Islam recommended its people to always explore all various knowledge along with the times without ignoring its values. In consequence, having the foundation to socialize the integration of knowledge can bring to the emergence of new modern knowledge in line with Islamic values.
It takes time to socialize the integration of knowledge, but we need to expand it to the younger generation of Islam” (Dr. Aliyu Tanko.)
Dr. Aliyu Tanko. also explained that IIIT Nigeria itself has started to apply this approach to every discipline. As demonstrated, among the most popular disciplines in IIIT Nigeria is the seminar of Islamic Finance. The objectives are to give understanding to the Islamic youth that they need to religiously understand the faith, syariah and morals. He also looked forward to the collaboration between IIIT and UAI especially in scholarship, research, international seminars, and Program Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka (MBKM). By having this comprehension through education, he is sure the objectives will be slowly but surely achieved.
Discussing the integration of knowledge, UAI also has implied this method to many program studies. During the talks, Dr. Ir. Ahmad Husin Lubis, M.Sc (Head of DIKTI, Training, and Development of YPI Al-Azhar) added that UAI currently has several program of Islam across multidisciplinary. They are Islamic Economics, Islamic Psychology, Islamic Epistemology, and moreover. These are expected to increase every year as also the plan of the possibility of collaboration between IIIT Nigeria and UAI can lead to the stage.
Also joining the meeting were, Prof. Dr. KH. Husnan Bey Fananie, MA. (Lecturer of the Islamic Education Department of UAI), Muhammad Ridhwan, S.Ag., M.Ag. (Head of the Study of Islamic Values), Mohamad Ghozali Moenawar, Lc., M.M. (Head of Office of International Affairs), and Muhammad Fadli, S.E., M.H. (Head of Administrative Services Division, Scholarship, Internship, Mobilization and General Affairs) (TSH).