As planned to renew the tight collaboration that has been going since 2013 between University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI) and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Prof. Dr. Ir. Asep Saefuddin, M.Sc. (Rector of University Al-Azhar Indonesia), who was accompanied by Dr. Drs. Fidesrinur, M.Pd., Dean of Faculty of Psychology and Education, Dr. Yusup Hidayat, S.Ag., M.H. (Dean of Faculty of Law), Mohamad Ghozali Moenawar, Lc., M.M, (Head of Office of International Affairs), visited IIUM on Thursday (17/11). The four delegations from UAI, then, were welcomed by Mr. Dzulkifli Abdul Razak (Rector of IIUM) on Senate Hall, Level 5 Muhammad Abdul Rauf Building IIUM Gombak.

As the two universities have agreed to renew the agreements in education, research, and community services, IIUM hosted the event by beginning with the recitation of holy Qur’an and the opening remarks by both Rectors. Afterwards, as the essence of the agenda, the memorandum of understanding (MoU), which existed for the next three years, was signed by each Rector.

During the event, Prof Asep also shared his concern about the current challenges that ASEAN is facing. These issues were expressed in a public lecture, “Advancing Science for Sustainable Development”.

Today people who are 17-40, which is known as the productive ages, have dominated the whole population in the world, we need to help bring out their potentials to the society of 5.0” Prof. Asep stated.

Nevertheless, the two leaders also discussed the importance of having the integration of knowledge as Muslim people in this modern era. The developments that Muslim people can do to help reaching out the SDGs must be based on Islamic values and our community can create our own.

My worry is that the influence of artificial technology that came from the west will affect our ummah in decision making and as Islamic based universities, we must watch it to not get colonized,” said The Rector of IIUM.

Also, joint the event on hybrid, were Dr. Fuad Bawazier (Politician and Former Minister of Finance of Indonesia), Dr. Ir. Ahmad Husin Lubis, M.Sc (Head of DIKTI, Training, and Development of YPI Al-Azhar), and Dr. Heri Herdiawanto, S.Pd. M.Si (Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Science) (TSH).