Indonesia
Penang, Malaysia – Master’s Program in Islamic Education (MPAI) and the Master’s Program in Islamic Family Law (MHKI) of UNISMA Postgraduate Program have advanced the university rector’s vision by implementing international collaboration initiatives. Dr. Dian Mohammad Hakim, M.Pd.I., Head of the MPAI–MHKI Study Programs, signed a Letter of Intent with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) on Saturday (Oct. 5) to establish cooperation in research collaboration, joint seminars, and joint publications.
The agreement was signed on behalf of MPAI–MHKI by the head of the study programs, while USM was represented by Associate Professor Dr. Shahir Akram bin Hassan, Director of the Centre for Islamic Development Management Studies (ISDEV).
The document outlines strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening both institutions, UNISMA’s Postgraduate Program and ISDEV USM. In addition to joint seminars, collaborative research, and co-authored publications, the partnership will soon implement internship programs, student exchanges, teaching practice initiatives, and community service activities involving both lecturers and students.
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USM expressed strong enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that UNISMA, particularly its postgraduate division, has demonstrated active commitment to implementing international partnership programs. ISDEV USM hopes the initiatives already launched will continue to expand in scope and impact.
“We invite both institutions to organize joint examinations, conducted either online or onsite. We hope our students can be assessed by qualified lecturers from UNISMA, and we likewise look forward to examining students from Indonesia,” said Dr. Shahir Akram.
In the near future, joint research projects will also be carried out between ISDEV scholars and UNISMA postgraduate lecturers. One initiative already underway is a social humanities research collaboration between Dr. Shereza Mohamed Shonif and Dr. Dian Mohammad Hakim.
The collaboration will focus on multicultural education research.
“We will soon conduct joint research on multicultural education in Penang. The society in Penang represents a successful multicultural community, where three major ethnic groups — Malays, Chinese, and Indians — coexist and integrate,” Dr. Dian explained.
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