
The Rector Undertook a Visit to Turkey with The Objective of Establishing a Collaborative Relationship with The Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture
ISTANBUL – Wednesday (11/9/2024), The Rector of Antasari State Islamic University, Prof. Dr. H. Mujiburrahman, M.A. visited the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture (IFSC). The arrival of the Rector was warmly welcomed by IFSC Director Dr. Said Yüce, M.A. and his staff, at 11 a.m. local time.
Said Yüce spoke in Turkish accompanied by two translators into Arabic and English, the Rector also listened and responded. This meeting began with an introduction to the profile of Antasari State Islamic University by the Rector, followed by an introduction to the IFSC profile. Furthermore, possible points of cooperation were discussed in the future.

Dr. Said Yüce explained that IFSC is an institution that fights for and develops the thoughts of Turkish scholar-activist Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, who, among other things, is concerned about the modern secular education system, especially the uprooting of science and technology from religious consciousness.
For this reason, they try to develop science and technology learning methods that can build religious-theological consciousness in students.
Secondly, IFSC also develops contemporary Islamic propagation discourse, which responds to the challenges of the era, so that Islam is deeply integrated into human culture.
The Rector responded positively to the IFSC mission, and said that Antasari State Islamic University also has the same concern about it.
“In Indonesia, this idea is interpreted as ‘Integration of Science’, not ‘Islamization of Science’,” he said.
The IFSC Director smiled and said that he had also heard this in Malaysia, which seemed to ‘ayatize’ the findings of science. Whereas according to him, the methodology of science is correct.
“The problem is the way humans view nature, which is studied by science, as if it is separate from God,” he explained.
The conversation finally agreed, that Antasari State Islamic University will communicate further to propose several lecturers and/or students to take part in the Training of Trainers, regarding teaching science in line with religious awareness in online meetings.
Then, in 2025, it will send them for training in Istanbul. In addition, it can also carry out similar activities in Indonesia by inviting trainers from IFSC.
On this occasion, a memorandum of understanding between IFSC and Universitas Islam Negeri Antasari Banjarmasin was also signed and souvenirs were exchanged.

Dr. Said Yüce then showed the Rector hundreds of networks of educational institutions and universities in the world that have become IFSC collaborative partners.
(Rector’s Travel Notes)
