UIII graduates first 34 doctoral students from 22 countries

Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) has recorded a historic milestone for the first time by graduating 34 doctoral students from 22 countries.

“This is not merely a graduation. This is the beginning of an increasingly strong intellectual history at UIII,” said UIII Rector Prof Jamhari Makruf after the graduation ceremony in Depok on Thursday.

A total of 204 graduates officially received master’s and doctoral degrees from four faculties: the Faculty of Islamic Studies, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Economics and Business, and the Faculty of Education.

Prof Jamhari stressed that this graduation is not merely an academic ceremony, but one that produces future leaders.

“We do not only produce graduates. We produce future thinkers, researchers and leaders who are expected to bring new ideas to the world,” he said.

The presence of this doctoral cohort, he continued, is a concrete step towards realising UIII’s vision as an international centre of excellence for Islamic education and research.

Diversity is a hallmark of UIII. With graduates from 22 countries, the campus has become a space for intercultural and international dialogue.

The rector delivered a heartfelt message of kinship. He said UIII is a family, and graduation is not the end of a bond of togetherness.

“You may leave the campus, but you will never leave UIII,” he said.

He invited alumni to remain engaged through research, networking and mentoring programmes. He called on the entire UIII community to support the development of the university’s endowment fund.

“A family is not only a place to receive. A family is also a place to give,” he said.

Furthermore, Prof Jamhari offered a profound message for graduates who will enter society.

“A degree is not the ultimate goal of education. A degree is a responsibility,” he stressed.

He reminded that the world is currently facing various challenges: polarisation, technological disruption, economic inequality and conflict. Therefore, graduates were urged to remain critical, humble and able to disagree without losing respect.

“Think critically, but remain humble. You may differ, but do not belittle one another,” he said.

The UIII class of 2026 graduates officially became part of an alumni community that will spread from Sabang to Merauke, and even to Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Tanzania and various other countries.

“Wherever you are, you will carry UIII within you,” said Prof Jamhari.

He expressed hope that they will become ambassadors of UIII’s values: intellectual openness, integrity and an Islam that contributes to humanity.

This year’s graduation is not merely the closing of an academic journey. It is the beginning of the emergence of a new generation of scholars, researchers and world leaders.

Meanwhile, Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Assoc. Prof Syafiq Hasyim stressed that internationalisation at UIII is not merely a statistic.

“This is not only about sitting in the same classroom with people from other countries. It is about learning to see the world from a different perspective,” he said.

He also highlighted UIII’s position as Indonesia’s contribution to world civilisation. “Our conviction is that Indonesia’s experience of Islam, democracy and pluralism deserves to be offered to the world,” he said.