Yogyakarta, July 7, 2025 — Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is reinforcing its academic internationalization strategy through a growing partnership with Germany’s Senior Experten Service (SES). A tangible outcome of this collaboration is the 2025 International Visiting Professor Program, which this year welcomes Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rüland, an esteemed scholar of International Relations and Southeast Asian Studies from the University of Freiburg.

In an official meeting held at the Rector’s Office of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Rüland was formally received by Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan. Also present were Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Institutional Development, Prof. Dr. Istiningsih, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Collaboration, Dr. Abdur Rozaki, Head of the International Office, Dr. Witriani, and Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business, Dr. Sunaryati.

Prof. Rüland will lead a series of academic workshops and consultations from July 5 to 31, 2025. The program is designed to strengthen research capacity, boost international publication performance, and expand global scholarly networks, particularly within the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI) and the university at large.

According to Prof. Istiningsih, the collaboration with SES is a strategic initiative to raise the academic quality and global competitiveness of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. The SES experts, she noted, are highly experienced in international academic circles and capable of tailoring their contributions to the specific needs of each faculty. Activities may range from national seminars and international conferences to more focused scholarly discussions.

Prof. Rüland, who has published extensively on topics such as political transformation, democratization, and regional integration in Southeast Asia, is expected to provide high-level academic mentoring. His presence is anticipated to help lecturers refine their research methodologies, develop publishable manuscripts, and build sustainable international research collaborations.

Dr. Witriani, Head of the International Office, emphasized that the program aligns with the university’s broader vision for academic globalization. With a background in geopolitical studies, Prof. Rüland brings interdisciplinary insights that are highly relevant to the university’s academic development. She also announced that another SES expert will join the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities in August 2025.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga has worked with SES since 2017, hosting experts across multiple faculties. The following table highlights SES engagements at UIN Sunan Kalijaga over the years:

In 2025 alone, UIN Sunan Kalijaga plans to host five SES experts across various faculties, reflecting its strong commitment to academic excellence and global engagement. The program's flexible format allows for both large-scale and focused scholarly events aimed at building faculty capacity in research and publication.

This initiative is a key component of the university’s internationalization roadmap, underscoring its goal of becoming a globally connected institution. By fostering long-term academic partnerships and strengthening scholarly output, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is positioning itself as a hub for impactful, research-based education in Southeast Asia.