
To Gain Insight into Potential Avenues for International Collaboration, The Rector Undertook a Visit to Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University in Turkey
ISTANBUL – Friday (13/9/2024), on the last day of his stay in Turkey, the Rector of Antasari State Islamic University, Prof. Dr. H. Mujiburrahman, M.A. visited Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University. Welcoming him was Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Zekeriya Kurşun, accompanied by an administrative official of the university. The meeting was intimate and friendly, but still serious.
Rector Mujib expressed his deepest gratitude for the kindness of Vice Rector Fatih Sultan Mehmet to receive his visiting.
“The purpose of this visit, as stated in the letter we sent, is to explore the possibilities of collaboration between our university and yours,” he said.
Prof. Zekeriya explained that Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University is funded by a waqf institution. The unique thing is that this waqf institution is not privately owned, but the Turkish government. He really hopes that cooperation can be established with Antasari State Islamic University.
“When it comes to drafting the MoU, we are not too complicated. If the agreement has been reached by both sides, it can be signed without ceremony, just desk to desk,” he said.
Various possibilities of collaboration discussed include distributing alumni or lecturers of Antasari State Islamic University who want to continue their studies at Fatih Sultan Mehmet University with scholarships.
“For international classes, some use English, and some use Arabic. For Islamic studies, we use Arabic,” said Prof. Zekeriya.
Prof. Mujiburrahman suggested that collaboration could also be carried out in the form of workshops, seminars/webinars, conferences, research, and publications in Arabic or English.
“We aim to expose Indonesian youth to Islam in Turkey, its history and culture,” he said.
Prof. Zekeriya added that there might be a special class on Islam in Turkey, taught by professors from Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University online for students of Antasari State Islamic University.
Finally, both sides agreed to continue the discussion in more detail and concretely through intensive communication.
(Rector’s Travel Notes)
