DUNDEE, UK – The University of Darussalam Gontor had the honour to visit one of the prestigious universities in the UK, the University of Dundee, Monday, 13 March 2023. The visit aimed at introducing the University of Darussalam Gontor to the University of Dundee, learning from Dundee’s best practices in developing an Islamic Finance program, and discussing potential collaboration between the two universities.

The Islamic Finance program at the University of Dundee is unique as it is, by nature, a result of orchestrated efforts between two prominent institutions, the University of Dundee and al-Maktoum College of Higher Education. The marriage gave birth to one of the most successful contemporary Islamic Finance programs in Western World.

During the visit, the delegation of the University of Darussalam Gontor had the pleasure of meeting Prof Bill Russell (Associate Dean International and Student Admissions, School of Business, University of Dundee), Lukman Hakim, PhD (Head of Islamic Finance department, School of Business, University of Dundee), and Dr A G Abubaker (Head of College & Vice-Chancellor, Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education).

The delegation from Gontor was led by Dr Khoirul Umam (Vice-Rector for Research and Networking) and accompanied by Ade Tachrizatu Wirda (Alumna of the University of Darussalam Gontor pursuing MSc Economic Development at the University of Glasgow) and Muchammad Taufiq Affandi (PhD student at Durham University, University Secretary at the University of Darussalam Gontor).

During the meeting, besides discussing promising collaboration in joint research, joint seminar, and student and staff exchange, both parties enjoyed discussing current discourse on Islamic economics and finance, including how maqasid sharia could be properly incorporated to enhance the Islamic economics and finance.

The meeting is expected to pave the way for further academic collaborations, research, and knowledge sharing between the two universities. (Eko Nur Cahyo, Royyan Ramdhani Djayusman, Muchammad Taufiq Affandi. Photo Editor: Nahid Hawari)