Yogyakarta, 1 August 2025 – Lecturers of the Library Science Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta held an informal discussion with Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Roziya binti Abu from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, at Ingkung Grobog. The gathering served as a follow-up to a previously agreed research collaboration between the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences (FADIB) and UiTM, which had been initiated in the International Talk forum titled “Empowering Global Academic Collaboration to Strengthen Academic Research Networks Across Universities”.

Funding schemes and international collaboration planning

Dean of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Nurdin, S.Ag, S.S., M.A., opened the conversation by raising the topic of funding planning within the framework of international cooperation schemes. Responding to this, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Roziya binti Abu explained the process of mapping potential funding, which can begin as early as 2026 since most funding allocations are usually disbursed at the beginning of the year.

In the discussion on funding plans, it was emphasized that researchers would later be allowed to focus primarily on their research activities, while administrative matters would be handled by the cooperation management team. “With this arrangement, it is hoped that researchers who wish to utilize educational funding can carry out all their activities smoothly,” said Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Roziya binti Abu.

Nevertheless, bureaucratic challenges were also highlighted, particularly those related to budget efficiency policies in Indonesia and the difficulty of obtaining official permits for international travel from the central government.

Internship funding schemes for international class students

The discussion then developed into the topic of funding schemes for internship programs for international class students. One of the options explored was a full-budget scheme that would cover accommodation—such as dormitory facilities—and daily living expenses for students during their internship period. This scheme is expected to make it easier for students to participate in overseas internships without being overly burdened by financial constraints.

Through such funding arrangements, the collaboration between UIN Sunan Kalijaga and UiTM is projected not only to support joint research, but also to strengthen student mobility and international academic exposure.

Prospects for double degree and joint degree programs

Towards the end of the discussion, ideas emerged regarding the development of international collaboration through double degree or joint degree programs. Head of the Library Science Study Program, M. Ainul Yaqin, S.Pd., M.Ed., expressed his hope to further exchange information with UiTM concerning the technical mechanisms for implementing such programs.

He underlined that double degree or joint degree schemes could open broader opportunities for students to gain international learning experiences while simultaneously strengthening the global competitiveness of graduates. These programs are also expected to enhance institutional collaboration in curriculum development, research supervision, and cross-border academic activities.

Strengthening UIN Sunan Kalijaga–UiTM partnership

The warm Friday afternoon discussion ended on a positive note, with a stronger spirit of collaboration between UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and UiTM Malaysia. Both institutions share a commitment to continuing and expanding cooperation in the fields of research, education, and academic mobility.

This meeting reaffirmed that informal yet focused discussions can be an effective medium for weaving long-term collaborative plans, which in turn will support the development of high-quality, globally oriented Islamic higher education.

Writer:

Shafina Choirunnisa (ssa)