DDII and UIKA Bogor Explore Education Partnership with Malaysia
JAKARTA – Opportunities for higher education cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia are expanding, particularly in Islamic economics, Hajj and Umrah management, and healthcare. The proposed cooperation includes exchanges of lecturers and students, curriculum development, scholarship programmes and cross-border learning.
The opportunities were discussed at a meeting between a delegation from the Indonesian Islamic Propagation Council (Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia, DDII) and Ibn Khaldun University (UIKA) Bogor, and Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Zulkifli bin Hasan. The meeting covered human resource development and widening access to education through collaboration between Islamic educational institutions in the two countries.
DDII chairman Fathurrahman Mahfudz said educational cooperation was one opportunity that could be developed through relations between Indonesia and Malaysia. The collaboration is expected to cover not only Islamic education but also academic fields linked to workforce needs.
“The meeting also discussed opportunities to strengthen Malindo cooperation, particularly between DDII and Islamic educational institutions in Malaysia. These ties have deep historical roots in the da’wah movement and the thought of Mohammad Natsir, an Indonesian Islamic figure who had an important influence on the development of da’wah and relations among Muslims in South-east Asia,” Fathurrahman said, according to a press release received on Sunday (24 October 2026).
One topic was potential cooperation between diploma-level and higher education institutions under Malaysia’s Religious Affairs portfolio and UIKA Bogor. This could be developed through hybrid learning combining face-to-face sessions and online study.
The model is expected to broaden students’ opportunities to take part in cross-border education programmes. Curriculum development and academic exchanges are also being considered as ways to improve graduates’ skills.
UIKA Bogor rector HE Mujahidin said its Faculty of Islamic Studies had several programmes with potential for international cooperation. The two areas highlighted in the discussions were Islamic economics and Hajj and Umrah management.
“Both fields are considered to have potential for development through academic exchanges, curriculum strengthening, skills development and joint education programmes,” Mujahidin said.
Beyond Islamic education, the parties are exploring cooperation in nursing and pharmacy. This could include strengthening academic capacity, exchanges of lecturers and students, and improving graduates’ skills in line with the needs of society and the labour market.
Fathurrahman said the development of education in Hajj and Umrah management was also discussed. Cooperation in this area could involve institutions connected with the organisation of religious pilgrimages in Malaysia.
“In Islamic studies, we also discussed potential cooperation in Hajj and Umrah management involving Tabung Haji and Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism,” he said.
According to Fathurrahman, the opportunities could be developed through professional education and training combining Islamic knowledge, service management and the governance of pilgrimage travel. Developing these skills is expected to help meet demand for professionals in the relevant sectors.
The meeting also discussed developing academic links with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM/UIA). The university already has cooperation with Ibn Khaldun University Türkiye (IHU), creating an opportunity to expand academic ties between Islamic educational institutions.
On access to education, the parties discussed scholarship offers for high-achieving students from the DDII community. They also explored further study opportunities for UIKA Bogor’s top graduates through Malaysia’s network of educational institutions.
At the meeting, Fathurrahman also introduced DDII’s new leadership and several of the organisation’s priority programmes. The participation of UIKA Bogor’s leadership was another effort to broaden ties between da’wah organisations and universities in the two countries.
Zulkifli, meanwhile, expressed the hope that DDII would continue to contribute to education and community empowerment. He said da’wah activities should have a strong spiritual foundation while also delivering tangible benefits to the public.
UIKA Bogor was founded in 1961 by KH Sholeh Iskandar and a number of ulama and Masyumi figures, with the support of Mohammad Natsir. Since its establishment, the university has developed an approach to education combining Islamic values, scholarship and community service.
The Indonesia-Malaysia education cooperation remains at the exploratory stage. The parties are expected to follow up with joint programmes setting out clear objectives, implementation stages and measurable benefits.