Yogyakarta to host education meeting

YOGYAKARTA: The Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University will host the 2nd International Conference on Islamic Education and Economic Institution at the end of the month.

The university's rector Ahmad Mursidi said on Friday some 300 education practitioners from, among others, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, have confirmed their participation in the biennial meeting.

"The event is to be held in response to the fact that Islamic educational and economic institutions are lagging behind other international organizations," Ahmad said.

Organizing committee chairman Harwanto Dahlan said the international meeting will run from Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 at Natour Garuda Hotel.

People's Consultative Assembly speaker Amien Rais, a former Muhammadiyah chairman, Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab and Yogyakarta governor Hamengkubuwono X are scheduled to speak in the meeting. Other noted speakers will include President of Islamic Development Bank Ahmad Mohamed Ali and Director of International Islamic Forum on Science Iqbal Unus.

Indonesia hosted the initial meeting in Makassar in 1998. (swa)