UNIDA Gontor — Amidst a series of important agendas in Indonesia, the Vice Rector of Karabük University, Prof. Dr. İsmail Rakıp Karaş prioritized a visit to Universitas Darussalam Gontor (UNIDA Gontor), widely recognized as The Best Islamic University. He was accompanied by the international student coordinator, Dr. Hasan Terzi, and his deputy, İlker Erdönmez. This was the second reciprocal visit by the university leaders, who have been collaborating since October 2021. The President and Rector of UNIDA Gontor have visited Karabük University almost every year to follow up on collaborations in various strategic areas.
Prof. Karaş and his team were on the UNIDA Gontor campus for two days filled with productive activities. They arrived at the campus hotel just after the Ashar call to prayer. After taking a short break, they walked around the campus before sunset, observing the atmosphere of the modern Islamic boarding school-style dormitory. When the recitation of holy verses signaled Maghrib prayer time, he was already in the mosque with students and lecturers living on campus. Assoc. Prof. Mulyono Jamal, Head of the Darussalam Higher Education Foundation (YPTD), led the prayer. Afterward, the Vice Rector delivered remarks and introduced Karabük University, which hosts more than 40,000 students, including 11,000 international students. He also noted that 200 students are from Indonesia, and 30% of them are alumni of PMDG.
On the first evening, Vice Rector 3 Assoc. Prof. Khoirul Umam, M.Ec., hosted dinner at the campus hotel restaurant. Afterward, the delegation was escorted to the Gontor Convention Center (GCC) to watch the Mahadasa Show. The President of UNIDA Gontor, KH. Hasan Abdullah Sahal, performed a musical presentation accompanied by Prof. Husnan Bey Fananie. The event featured performances from various generations of UNIDA Gontor lecturers and students, creating a memorable cultural evening.
The second day began with breakfast alongside three UNIDA Gontor students from Türkiye. Prof. Karaş showed enthusiasm while conversing with students from Batman and Sanli Urfa. The Turkish-style breakfast created a warm atmosphere. Present were Dr. Eko Nur Cahyo (BKUI) and Syahruddin, M.Sc.Fin. (ICAST). At 9:00 a.m., the Rector of UNIDA Gontor, Prof. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi, welcomed the delegation for a nearly one-hour discussion at the rectorate building. Both leaders exchanged ideas on strategic collaboration programs before concluding with a group photo session at the waqf-funded building.
The meeting continued in the senate room with deans and program heads under the theme Strategic Meeting on Potential Collaboration Programs. Discussions included research cooperation, lecturer and student exchanges through ERASMUS, TÜBİTAK, and BRIN schemes. The atmosphere was highly productive, reinforcing the shared aspiration to become part of The Best Islamic University in global academic networking.
After lunch with Indonesian cuisine, the delegation visited PMDG to observe preparations for the final-year Panggung Gembira performance. Prof. Karaş interacted with student organizers in English. The visit continued to the Centre of Khat management in the Aligarh building, where guests learned about the Qur’an Mushaf writing program involving calligraphers mostly from Türkiye. The delegation was impressed by the development of khat education from students to teachers.
As the sun set, the guests climbed the 85-meter minaret of the Grand Mosque, witnessing a panoramic view of the pesantren environment. The visit concluded with a trip to Ponorogo city and Latansa Department Store for souvenirs. Before departure, Prof. Karaş expressed his appreciation and asked about the possibility of returning to share knowledge with the UNIDA Gontor academic community.
The visit reaffirmed the strong academic bond between the two institutions and strengthened their shared vision in advancing global Islamic higher education excellence as part of The Best Islamic University initiative.
Writer: Shaheeda
Editor: Ahmad Ma’ruf Muzaidin Arrosit
Editorial Team: UNIDA Gontor
