Azyumardi Azra reelected as new UIN rector

JAKARTA: Noted Islamic scholar Azyumardi Azra was reelected last Saturday as the new rector of Jakarta Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) after gaining a majority vote in the rectorial election by the university's academic senate.

Azyumardi sidelined two other candidates Nazaruddin and Din Syamsuddin with 40 votes as against 18 and 11 votes respectively, Suwito, the university's deputy rector was quoted by Antara as saying.

Azyumardi still serves as rector until October this year, and will continue to lead the university for the next five years.

Five of the 69 senate members were not present to vote as they were on assignment off campus, including the Minister of National Education Malik Fajar and Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Husein Al-Munawar.

The university formerly bore the name, State Academy of Islamic Studies (IAIN). The name changed upon being endowed with a new status as UIN which requires the university to improve its human resources, among other things.

"I think the university's vision in the near future will stick to the effort of making the university a center of excellence and a prestigious university in both academic and social fields," said Azyumardi. --JP