International Benchmarking Visit from UniSZA Malaysia to UIN KHAS Jember
International Office - On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq State Islamic University (UIN KHAS) Jember welcomed a delegation from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Malaysia. The purpose of this visit was part of UniSZA's international benchmarking efforts, focusing on academic quality enhancement, institutional development, and student affairs. The UniSZA team, consisting of 21 faculty members and students, arrived at 9:00 a.m. and was warmly received by UIN KHAS Jember's Vice-Rector III, Dr. Khoirul Faizin, M.Ag., alongside other university officials.
The reception ceremony began with the national anthems of both Indonesia ("Indonesia Raya") and Malaysia ("Negaraku"). In the opening remarks, a UniSZA representative, Mohammad Rashdan bin Mohammad Riduan, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit UIN KHAS Jember, one of the universities included in their Indonesian tour. The representative highlighted their interest in learning about the Indonesian education system, particularly Islamic-based institutions like UIN KHAS Jember.
In his speech, Dr. Faizin, representing the rector, extended a warm welcome to the UniSZA delegation. He conveyed the rector’s greetings, who was unable to attend due to a prior commitment in Denpasar, Bali. Dr. Faizin expressed his pleasure in hosting their Southeast Asian counterparts, further strengthening ties between the two universities. He noted that UIN KHAS Jember had recently signed an MoU with UniSZA, laying the groundwork for further collaboration. He assured that UIN KHAS Jember was ready to assist with the benchmarking objectives, including sharing knowledge and showcasing the university's facilities.
The event continued with a campus profile video presentation and an interactive Q&A session between UniSZA delegates and UIN KHAS Jember officials, led by Dr. Faizin.
Dr. Achmad Fathor Rosyid, head of the International Office, emphasized UIN KHAS Jember's status as one of Indonesia’s top Islamic universities, alongside UIN Jakarta, UIN Yogyakarta, and UIN Surabaya, and expressed hope for future collaborations.
The session concluded with a ceremonial exchange of souvenirs and a prayer led by Professor Dr. H. Abd. Halim Soebahar, MA. The event officially ended at noon, followed by lunch, prayers, and a tour of the university.
(Writer: NEA, Editor: MA/MDA)
