Islamic Higher Education Faces Challenges in the AI Era
Bandung — Ace Hasan Syadzily, chairman general of the Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Islamic University alumni association, has called upon all alumni, particularly those from UIN Jakarta, to oversee the development of Islamic higher education in Indonesia. The statement was made during a networking gathering and breaking of fast organised by IKALUIN over the weekend.
“Ramadhan provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen bonds among alumni. This is a space to maintain unity whilst reinforcing our contributions to the campus and society,” said the Lemhanas governor in an official statement received on Saturday, 14 March 2026.
He noted that Ramadhan can be leveraged by alumni to deepen relationships and strengthen networks that have been built across various sectors. Ace remarked that the Ramadhan networking activity has become an annual tradition bringing together UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta alumni from different generations and professional backgrounds.
He stated that UIN alumni are now working across various sectors, including academia, bureaucracy, professional fields, and social community work. “Alumni have a moral responsibility to maintain relationships with their alma mater and contribute to the development of Islamic higher education,” he said.
Ace Hasan assessed that Islamic universities face major challenges amid changing times, particularly concerning technological development, research strengthening, and increasing global competition among institutions of higher learning.
“Alumni must be part of the solution. We have the experience, networks, and capacity to help guide the development of Islamic higher education so it becomes increasingly advanced and relevant to contemporary needs,” said the West Java provincial chairman of Golkar party.
He further encouraged alumni to actively provide ideas, support, and collaboration that can strengthen the position of Islamic universities at both national and international levels.
The networking agenda was also accompanied by a public discussion themed “The Direction of Indonesian Islamic Higher Education”, featuring Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, Deputy for Youth Empowerment at the Youth and Sports Ministry; Najib Burhani, director general of Science and Technology at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology; and Prof Arskal Salim GP, secretary to the director general of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The event also included the distribution of assistance to orphaned children from the Sahabat Yatim Rawa Mekar Jaya Foundation in South Tangerang. The programme concluded with a joint breaking of fast and networking session among alumni, aimed at further strengthening connections.