UNIDA Gontor — As part of a series of Academic Study (SA) activities in Malaysia, students from the Management Study Program at Darussalam University (UNIDA) Gontor, recognized as one of the Best Islamic Universities in Indonesia, conducted an academic visit to the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysian (IKIM) on Monday, October 6, 2025. This visit aimed to broaden the students’ knowledge in the field of Islamic Management and to understand the role of Islamic institutions in Malaysia in the development of modern knowledge and da’wah.
The UNIDA Gontor delegation, consisting of 16 students and 4 accompanying lecturers—Yayan Firmansah, Ph.D, Fajar Surya Ari Anggara, M.M, Bagas Bambang Pamujo, M.H, and Roghiebah Jadwa Faradisi, S.E., M.Ak., C.A., Ak.—was officially welcomed by the IKIM leadership. A warm welcome was given by Prof. Madya Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil as Director of IKIM, Dr. Mohd Zaidi Ismail as Deputy Director of IKIM, and Prof. Madya Dr. Zul Ilham Zulkiflee Lubes, Director of the IKIM Center for Science and Environment Studies, along with all IKIM staff and administrators.
In his speech, Associate Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Azam Mohamed Adil expressed his appreciation for UNIDA Gontor’s academic visit. He emphasized the importance of synergy between Islamic educational institutions in the Southeast Asian region in strengthening scientific discourse and research-based da’wah. He also highlighted the role of IKIM as an institution that integrates Islamic values in the fields of science, social affairs, and public policy.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yayan Firmansah, Head of the Management Study Program at UNIDA Gontor, emphasized that UNIDA and IKIM share a common vision — to make Islamic da’wah the foundation for the development of science and multidisciplinary research. According to him, both institutions strive to create a knowledgeable and moral society through research, scientific publications, and academic book writing infused with da’wah values.
As part of the visit agenda, IKIM held a special event in the form of a book review entitled “Islam, Leadership, and Strategy,” which was presented directly by Dr. Mohd Zaidi Ismail, Deputy Director of IKIM. In this session, he explained the relationship between Islamic values and strategic leadership in the context of modern organizations. The book highlights the importance of Islamic ethics, vision, and strategy in decision-making and human resource management. UNIDA Gontor students had the opportunity to discuss the application of these values in the context of contemporary management.
After the scientific discussion session, the UNIDA Gontor group continued their activities with a visit to Radio IKIM and the IKIM Library. At Radio IKIM, students were introduced to the Islamic preaching broadcasting system, which was developed with a modern and professional approach. Meanwhile, at the IKIM Library, students explored a collection of Islamic literature and research works, which serve as key references in Islamic studies in Malaysia.
This activity provided valuable experience for students in understanding the implementation of Islamic management principles in professional institutions, as well as broadening their knowledge about collaboration between academics, researchers, and da’wah institutions. Through this visit, UNIDA Gontor students not only gained academic knowledge but also inspiration about how Islam can be the foundation of all aspects of life and organizational management.
With the completion of this visit to IKIM, the UNIDA Gontor Student Academic Study Program in Malaysia further solidified its main objectives — to build international networks, enrich scientific knowledge, and strengthen the Islamic leadership character of students as future leaders of the ummah. This initiative once again underscores UNIDA Gontor’s standing as one of the Best Islamic Universities that consistently promotes intellectual, moral, and spiritual excellence through international academic collaboration.
Author: Aris Ashar
Editor: Ahmad Ma’ruf Muzaidin Arrosit
