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| UMM White Campus collaborates with the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) (Photo: Wildan PR) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang continues to spread its wings for international collaboration. Recently, the White Campus collaborated with the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) on September 14, 2024. In addition to the signing procession between the two parties, a discussion regarding moderate Islam with Ali Fauzi, a former Bali bombing terrorist who has repented and successfully completed his doctoral studies at UMM, was also held on that occasion.
Speaking about the collaboration, UMM Vice Chancellor IV of Research, Service, and Cooperation, Muhamad Salis Yuniardi, M.Psi., Ph.D., assessed that the collaboration was the right one. Moreover, Muhammadiyah is one of the largest and oldest Islamic organizations in Indonesia. Supported by Muhammadiyah's work in critical sectors such as health, social, and education. One of them is implemented at UMM.
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“Hopefully this collaboration can be the first step of many successful programs in the future. Moreover, some of the UMM lecturers and ICLRS members have also collaborated several years ago,” he said.
Salis continued that although UMM is an Islamic campus, it does not insist that female academicians wear the hijab. It is a moderated form of Islam implemented by the White Campus, which has the principle that wearing the hijab must start from self-awareness to be sincere. Gender equality at UMM is also quite good. Even the number of women working at UMM exceeds men, including at high levels.
“UMM is not only focused on education but also has business units that can give the image that Islam is also advanced. We have three hotels, two hospitals, banks, recreational parks, gas stations, and so on. We also invited the deans who are expected to establish further cooperation,” said Salis.
On the other hand, ICLRS Director Prof. Brett Scharffs admitted that he was happy to finally be able to sign the MoU with UMM. So far, he has had a lot of contact with the academic community of the White Campus. He hopes that both parties can support each other in promoting human dignity and religious moderation. He believes that UMM is the right partner in running future programs.
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“I really admire the moderate ways in Indonesia, including the Islamic practices in Muhammadiyah. A while ago I met with Muhammadiyah Secretary, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu'ti. It turns out that there are a lot of children and young people who study at educational institutions owned by Muhammadiyah. Hopefully the cooperation between UMM and ICLRS can provide good benefits for religious moderation,” he concluded. (Wil/Put)
