"UNUJA and UNISYA Strengthen Postgraduate Collaboration: Synergy for the Advancement of Islamic Education in East Java"

Lumajang, May 2, 2025 — Two of East Java’s leading Islamic higher education institutions, Nurul Jadid University (UNUJA) in Paiton and Syarifuddin Islamic University (UNISYA) in Lumajang, have officially established a strategic partnership between their Master's Programs in Islamic Religious Education (MPAI). This collaboration represents a concrete step toward strengthening the implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education in Indonesia: education, research, and community service.

The signing ceremony took place at UNISYA’s Main Campus (Campus 1) in a warm and collaborative atmosphere. The event was attended by several key academic figures from UNUJA, including the Director of the Graduate School, Dr. H. Akmal Mundiri, M.Pd, and the Head of the Master's Program in Islamic Education Management, Dr. Abu Hasan Agus R., M.Pd.I. Their presence underscored full support for inter-institutional synergy in the development of academic excellence and broader social contribution.

In his remarks, the Head of the MPAI Graduate Program at UNUJA, Dr. Umar Manshur, MA, emphasized that the partnership goes far beyond formal procedures. “Amidst rapid social change, Islamic education must offer real solutions. Our research must engage with the realities of society, and our community service must bring tangible benefits. That is the shared mission we aim to realize through this partnership,” he stated.

Echoing this sentiment, the Head of the MPAI Program at UNISYA's Faculty of Tarbiyah, Dr. Ahmad Ihwanul Muttaqin, M.Pd.I, expressed strong optimism about the collaboration. “The shared vision and academic focus between UNUJA and UNISYA provide a strong foundation for synergy. We plan to foster lecturer and student exchange programs, co-publications, and inter-campus community service initiatives to expand the social impact of the Three Pillars of Higher Education,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Dr. H. Akmal Mundiri, M.Pd, affirmed that UNUJA's Graduate School continues to open itself to collaborative efforts with other universities as part of its commitment to developing knowledge grounded in Islamic moderation. “This partnership is part of our broader effort to build a productive academic network that can make a real difference in society,” he noted.

Dr. Abu Hasan Agus R., M.Pd.I, added that inter-program collaboration at the postgraduate level could also serve as a strategic momentum to enhance managerial capacities in Islamic higher education governance. “We are ready to support various forms of synergy, particularly in the field of educational management, which is becoming increasingly complex and requires continuous innovation,” he remarked.

This partnership is expected to serve as a model for institutional development through collaboration—one that not only enriches academic quality but also strengthens the university’s role in society. With a spirit of inclusiveness and shared scholarly vision, UNUJA and UNISYA remain optimistic that this cooperation will bring meaningful contributions to the advancement of Islamic education and the empowerment of communities across East Java.