Nur Janti, Jakarta – The Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII) has a new rector, Jamhari Makruf, who says he is committed to offering world-class education and promoting modern Islam.
Jamhari, previously an acting rector, was inaugurated as the new rector in a ceremony led by board of trustees chairman Jusuf Kalla on Thursday at the UIII campus in Depok, West Java.
"We believe that professor Jamhari's leadership will take the UIII to even greater heights," said Kalla, who is also the former vice president, in a press statement.
Jamhari, who holds a PhD in anthropology from the Australian National University, replaced UIII first rector Komaruddin Hidayat. Jamhari once served as vice rector for research and cooperation.
The university offers master's and doctoral programs in four faculties: Islamic studies, political sciences, Islamic economics and education sciences.
In a statement following his inauguration, Jamhari said he is committed to "providing high-quality education with an international perspective" and promoting Islamic moderation.
The university started its first academic year in September 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 98 students from a pool of over 1,000 applicants from 59 countries. All students studied under scholarships.
The UIII is part of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration's national strategic project, aimed at promoting the richness of Indonesian Islam.
Before joining the UIII, Jamhari was director of the graduate program and vice rector for academic affairs at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta in South Tangerang, Banten. (jan)