YOGYAKARTA, April 18, 2026 — UIN Sunan Kalijaga hosted a Palestinian education delegation on Saturday, positioning itself as a platform for global dialogue on education reform and interfaith cooperation.

The forum, titled Education Reform Dialog with Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education, brought together stakeholders from Indonesia, Australia and Palestine for discussions on curriculum development, teacher capacity building and inclusive education systems.

The event was held in collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, reflecting a multi-country effort to support ongoing education reform in Palestine.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Noorhaidi Hasan said Indonesia’s Islamic higher education institutions have historically played a role in maintaining social cohesion in a plural society, rooted in the state ideology of Pancasila.

“Through education, we aim to develop human resources that are not only academically strong but also capable of sustaining interreligious harmony,” he said.

Hasan added that the university promotes openness by enrolling students from different religious backgrounds, employing diverse faculty, and integrating religious studies with science and technology.

“We are open to international students, including from Palestine. This campus can serve as a shared learning space to build a more peaceful future,” he said.

The discussion also highlighted Indonesia’s experience in managing religious diversity through dialogue-based approaches. Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama (FKUB) was cited as a model for maintaining social stability in a multi-faith society.

FKUB Chairman Machasin said dialogue is central to resolving tensions in diverse communities.

“Harmony does not mean the absence of conflict, but the ability to resolve it through mutual understanding,” he said.

At the regional level, a representative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Yogyakarta highlighted the province’s long-standing role as an education hub, hosting institutions such as Universitas Gadjah Mada alongside UIN Sunan Kalijaga, as well as hundreds of madrasahs and Islamic boarding schools.

Palestinian officials said the country is currently reviewing its curriculum to align with UNESCO standards and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 on quality education.

Ahmed Khateeb, Director General for Humanities and Social Studies, said international support would be critical in strengthening institutional capacity and preparing human resources for the next phase of reform.

“Our focus includes deep learning, value internalisation, inclusive education, teacher development and education in emergency contexts,” he said.

Khateeb also called for clearer implementation mechanisms, including stronger involvement of local communities and teachers in decision-making, as well as the use of open digital resources that do not create technological dependency.

He added that best practices from Indonesia and Australia could serve as important references, provided they are adapted to local realities.

“With the right approach, this cooperation can become a strong foundation for education transformation in Palestine,” he said.

The dialogue underscores Indonesia’s growing role in education diplomacy, particularly in promoting moderation, tolerance and peace, while reinforcing UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s ambition to contribute to global academic and social development.