UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang held a Cooperation Agreement Signing event with UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau and Al-Azhar Gresik Institute on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The activity, which was held at Campus III Ar-Rahim UIN Malang, became an important momentum that marked the official submission of a cooperation request from the two guest institutions to UIN Malang. Through this forum, the three emphasized synergy in strengthening Islamic higher education, especially in faculty development and accelerating strategic programs that require academic assistance.

In her remarks, the Rector of UIN Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau, Prof. Dr. Hj. Leny Nofianti, MS, SE, M.Si, Ak, expressed her gratitude and appreciation for UIN Malang's willingness to accept this collaboration. The medical faculty that was pioneered in 2017 was able to be continued this year through collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine of UIN Malang. She explained that the main purpose of UIN Riau's visit was to request UIN Malang's assistance in the process of establishing the Faculty of Medicine that had been planned for a long time. With gratitude, she emphasized that this collaboration is expected to be a joint step to realize more mature and effective scientific development.

The second speech was delivered by the Rector of the Al-Azhar Gresik Institute, Dr. H. Imam Bahrozi, MM, who also stated that the Al-Azhar Gresik Institute also came with a similar goal, namely to establish strategic cooperation with UIN Malang in the fields of academics, research, and student development. According to him, mentoring from a better institution is very important to ensure that the institution's development runs according to quality standards and the needs of the times. He believes that collaboration between these institutions can create a more competent, innovative, and adaptive educational environment.

The closing remarks were delivered by the Rector of UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Prof. Dr. Hj. Ilfi Nur Diana, M.Si., who welcomed the collaboration request from both institutions. He emphasized that although UIN Malang is located far from the city center, the spirit to build a scientific civilization has never waned. UIN Malang opens up opportunities for broad mentoring, not only in the development of the Faculty of Medicine, but also in other fields such as the Faculty of Psychology and strategic academic programs that can be followed up through official coordination.

The event concluded with the signing of a cooperation agreement by the three institutions, a formal commitment to continue the mentoring and academic development program. The signing was accompanied by an exchange of souvenirs, symbolizing the bond of brotherhood and the hope that this collaboration will significantly benefit the advancement of Islamic higher education in Indonesia.

Contributors: Achmad Khidir Afandi (PSPD 23) and Deliya Shafa Oktantia (Pharmacy 23)