Ground-breaking dual degree programme brings Scotland and Indonesia together

Edinburgh, 02 June 2023

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The new programme will see up to 20 students per year undertake an MA in Islamic Studies from the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII) alongside an MSc in the Globalised Muslim World delivered by the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh.

This major transnational teaching partnership aims to produce a world class cadre of Islamic Studies scholars and deepen the relationship between the UK and Indonesia’s Higher Education sectors.

The dual degree is supported by a generous scholarship fund administered by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs which will fully fund up to 20 students per year to undertake the two-year programme. The majority of students will be from Indonesia, but students from other parts of the world will also be eligible.

The launch, which took place in the historic surroundings of Edinburgh’s Old College, brought together senior representatives from the University of Edinburgh, the Indonesian International Islamic University, the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs and the British Council.

The launch represents the culmination of a two year Going Global Partnership project which is led by Dr Siti Sarah Muwahidah (University of Edinburgh) and Professor Noorhaidi Hasan (UIII). Funded by the British Council Indonesia, the project enabled a series of visiting academic fellowships, studentships and curriculum workshops which laid the foundations for the programme.

Professor Frederic Volpi, Director of the University of Edinburgh’s Alwaleed Centre said, “This historic occasion marks the beginning of an important new chapter in learning and teaching about Islam and Muslim society. Our innovative new programme will produce exceptional graduates who will go on to achieve great things, both within and beyond the academic world.”

Professor Noorhaidi Hasan, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the Indonesian International Islamic University said, “This dual degree program provides students with excellent opportunities and privileges to do their master's programs in two different universities and two different, but related, curriculums. It both emphasizes a focus on texts whilst also exploring the dynamics of Muslim societies across the globe thus bridging the existing dichotomies of 'the West' and 'the East' in terms of the study of Islam”.

Summer Xia, Country Director of the British Council in Indonesia and Lead for South East Asia, said “Congratulations to the University of Edinburgh and the Indonesian International Islamic University on this ground-breaking partnership. We are really pleased that our Going Global Partnerships grant could support this innovative collaboration which offers a more diverse and multidisciplinary outlook towards the study of Islam and Muslim society. We would like to thank the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs for providing the support to open doors for Indonesian students to deepen their understanding by experiencing and engaging in a wider global society.”

James Smith, Vice-Principal International of the University of Edinburgh, stated that such a partnership project represents a unique opportunity for mutual capacity building for both universities.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

For further information and comment contact Tom Lea: tom.lea@ed.ac.uk.

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Pictured from left to right: Dr Abdullah Faqih (Head of Academic Development, Directorate of Islamic Higher Education, Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs), Lucy Young (Country Director Scotland, British Council), Dr Kholoud Al-Ajarma (Deputy Director, Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh), Tom Lea, General Manager, Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh), Professor Noorhaidi Hasan (Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Indonesian International Islamic University), Dr Elvire Corboz, Director of Learning and Teaching, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh), Professor Muhammad Ali Ramdhani (Director General of Islamic Education, Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs), Professor James Smith (Vice Principal International, University of Edinburgh), Professor Ahmad Zainul Hamdi (Director of Islamic Higher Education, Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs), Professor Alex Thomson (Head of School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, University of Edinburgh), Summer Xia (Country Director Indonesia, British Council), Professor Nacim Pak-Shiraz, Personal Chair of Cinema and Iran, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh), Dr Sarah Muwahidah (Teaching and Research Fellow, Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh), Professor David Weller (International Dean, Southeast Asia and Australasia, University of Edinburgh), Dr Yanwar Pribadi (Secretary of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Indonesian International Islamic University), Dr Zezen Zaenal Mutaqin (Head of Master's programme, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Indonesian International Islamic University).

About the academic programmes:

Further information about the University of Edinburgh MSc The Globalised Muslim World: www.alwaleed.ed.ac.uk/msc-the-globalised-muslim-world

Further information about UIII's MA in Islamic Studies: https://uiii.ac.id/academics/faculties-and-study-programs/faculty-of-islamic-studies 

About the British Council's Going Global Partnerships:

Going Global Partnerships supports universities, colleges and wider education sectors around the world to work together towards stronger, more inclusive, more internationally connected higher education, science and TVET.

Through international partnerships, system collaborations and opportunities to connect and share, we enable stronger transnational education, more collaborative research, higher quality delivery, enhanced learner outcomes and more internationalised and inclusive systems and institutions.

This leads to stronger higher education, research and TVET systems around the world that can support fairer social and economic growth and address national and global challenges – all backed up by mutually beneficial international relationships.