Bridging Civilizations through Knowledge: Iran–Indonesia Intellectual Diplomacy Begins at Hasanuddin University
The spirit of academic diplomacy between Iran and Indonesia took a significant step forward at Hasanuddin University (UNHAS), Makassar, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNHAS and Al Mustafa International University, Iran. The event, held at the Rectorate Building, marked the beginning of a new chapter of Iran–Indonesia intellectual collaboration in Southeast Asia. More than a formal ceremony, the partnership reflected a shared vision of how higher education can serve as a bridge between civilizations in an era of global digital transformation.
Following the MoU signing, the delegation from Al Mustafa International University participated in a Studium Generale at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UNHAS, entitled “The Strategic Role of Universities in Strengthening Educational, Research, and Cultural Networks Between Iran and Indonesia Amid the Stream of Digital Transformation.” The session featured Ayatollah Prof. Dr. Ali Abbas, Rector of Al Mustafa International University, who is widely known for his contributions to Islamic studies, inter-civilizational dialogue, and global academic networks. The event gathered lecturers, researchers, students, and cultural practitioners eager to explore new dimensions of intellectual cooperation.
In his keynote speech, Prof. Ali Abbas emphasized that knowledge should not be limited to academic exchanges or publications, but should serve as a humanitarian bridge connecting societies across time and culture. He highlighted that both Iran and Indonesia share a deep-rooted intellectual heritage founded on love for knowledge, philosophy, and humanity. To strengthen these ties, he proposed several forms of collaboration, including joint research in philosophy, philology, inter-civilizational relations, and contemporary Islamic studies, faculty and student exchanges, joint academic conferences, and full scholarships for Indonesian students pursuing master’s and doctoral studies in Qom, Mashhad, or Tehran.
The Dean of the FIB UNHAS, Prof. Dr. Andi Muhammad Akhmar, in his remarks, noted that the connection between the Bugis-Makassar and Persian civilizations has historical roots. Linguistic influences, philosophical expressions, and Sufi traditions reveal a long-standing intersection between these maritime-Islamic cultures. He affirmed that FIB UNHAS is ready to serve as Indonesia’s “eastern gateway” for Iranology, Persian Studies, and intercultural academic diplomacy, positioning UNHAS as a regional center for cultural and intellectual collaboration.
He further observed that the study of Lontaraq manuscripts in Bugis culture shares parallels with Persian manuscript traditions, particularly in metaphorical structures, cosmological symbols, and the concept of the insan kamil—the perfected human. This reflection underscored how both civilizations uphold intellectual and spiritual pursuits that transcend geographical boundaries.
Haeruddin, S.S., M.A., Head of the Department of West Asian Literature, expressed pride in hosting the visit of the Al Mustafa Rector, describing it as more than an academic meeting—it was a form of recognition that UNHAS, especially its West Asian Literature Department, has now gained visibility on the global academic stage. The department has offered Persian language classes since 2023 and plans to send students to a Summer Course in Iran in 2026, further solidifying the partnership between the two nations through cultural and educational exchange.