The cooperation between the Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry and Hartford international university provides an opportunity to expand academic engagement while strengthening Indonesia’s contribution to international discussions on religion and society.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Religious Affairs Ministry is strengthening the internationalization of Indonesia’s Islamic higher education institutions by expanding global academic networks, enhancing research collaboration, and preparing the country’s scholars to contribute to international academic discourse.

Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar said internationalization is part of the ministry’s strategic efforts to improve the quality and global engagement of Islamic higher education institutions.

The minister made the statement during an event in the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Office, Jakarta on Wednesday (Aug. 19).

The ministry currently oversees 56 State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (locally known as its abbreviation PTKIN) and more than 826 private Islamic higher education institutions across Indonesia.

These institutions, Nasaruddin said, have an important role in developing scholarship that connects religion, science, society, peace, and humanity.

He noted that a number of Indonesian Islamic higher education institutions have achieved international recognition throughout 2026.

The minister said 34 PTKIN have been included in the 2026 Transparent Ranking Open, while State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has entered the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ranking 2026.

Several PTKINs have also received international recognition in religious studies through the 2026 SCImago rankings. UIN Jakarta has represented Indonesia in theology, divinity, and religious studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

Meanwhile, UIN Salatiga’s journal Ijtihad has achieved a leading position globally in religious studies according to the latest SCImago Journal and Country Rank.

Other achievements include the Journal of Islamic Architecture published by UIN Malang entering the top tier of international academic journals in architecture.

UIN Malang and UIN Tulungagung have also strengthened their international academic networks through membership in the International Association of University Libraries.

According to Nasaruddin, these achievements show that Indonesian Islamic higher education is becoming increasingly connected to the global academic community.

However, he stressed that international rankings should not be regarded as the ultimate objective.

“Rather, they are an indication of our continuous effort to improve the quality of education, research, publications, academic collaboration, and international engagement,” he said.

Nasaruddin said the broader internationalization effort should ultimately strengthen the capacity of Indonesian and international scholars to learn from one another and develop knowledge that is relevant beyond individual institutions.

“We hope that Indonesian and international scholars can learn from one another and develop knowledge that is relevant not only for the two institutions but also for the wider international community,” he said.

The internationalization agenda also includes strengthening the capacity of Indonesian academics to participate in global academic exchanges.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Kamaruddin Amin said the ministry is preparing professors and lecturers to be sent to overseas universities, including Hartford International University, to introduce Indonesian Islam to the international academic community.

“We want that Islam in Indonesia is taught by Indonesian people,” Kamaruddin said, emphasizing that education plays an important role in developing human resources and building human dignity.

The cooperation with Hartford, he said, provides an opportunity to expand academic engagement while strengthening Indonesia’s contribution to international discussions on religion and society.

Reporting by Indonesia Window