Muslim world academic relations contributing to global scientific capabilities
A prominent academic and researcher from Indonesia says the academic cooperation across the world of Islam could contribute to boosting scientific capabilities both within the world of Islam and among world countries.
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Rahmat Budiman, the vice rector for Research, Innovation, Partnership, and Business of Universitas Terbuka, in Tangerang city of Java, in an interview with Taqrib News Agency (TNA) stressed the role of scientific communication between the universities in Islamic countries in boosting their capabilities and reputation in the global scientific arena.
He hailed the significant contributions to the global science made by Muslim nations through the numerous articles and academic papers Muslim scholars have published in reputable journals and praised Iran and Turkiye among the Muslim countries that stand out in terms of paper output.
The Indonesian researcher also underlined necessity of initiatives to expand dialogue among scholars across the world of Islam and said,” The challenges are that prominent researchers work independently for their respective institutions; thus, we need the means to bridge the gap among scholars” and added,” If these researchers from different universities of Islamic countries work together, the impacts on global science will be more significant.”
Rahmat Budiman proposed having dialogue as a way to map the current scientific condition in the Islamic countries.
He also highlighted collaborative research and scientist exchange programs among Islamic countries as great initiatives to promote scientific achievements across the world of Islam and noted the successful experience of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) in practicing the same program for some years.
Budiman said establishment of a network of universities, such as the COMSTECH Inter-Islamic Network of Virtual Universities (CINVU) and the international union of universities will play a significant role in fostering inter-university relations among Muslim countries.
“ These networks facilitate collaboration, knowledge exchange, and resource sharing among member institutions” said the Indonesian researcher and concluded,” By connecting universities globally, they enhance scientific cooperation, expand joint research initiatives, and encourage student mobility.”
Rahmat Budiman is the Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Partnership, and Business of Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia and the Secretary General of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) (2020-2022 and 2023-2025). He earned his Doctoral degree in Education from the University of Dundee, UK. He has been working as a full-time lecturer at Universitas Terbuka since 1999.
