IIS Academics in International Conference and Youth Camp in Indonesia

Last June 25-27, 2019, the State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia held its first International Annual Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities (AICoSH) with the theme “4.0 Revolution: Religiosity, Identity, and Social Transformation.” Organized by Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, it is attended by academicians and researchers from different countries with majority coming from different universities within Indonesia.

The goal of the conference primarily focuses on understanding the various roles of religion and identity in relation to social transformation. It inspires further the academic community and policy makers to revisit diversity critically, along with its challenges and opportunities, as a significant factor in social transformation.

Asst. Prof. Macrina A. Morados, the newly appointed dean of Institute of Islamic Studies in the University of the Philippines, Diliman (2^nd term of deanship), attended the event as one of the plenary speakers. She presented her paper “The Psychological Construct of Understanding the Phenomenon of Violent Extremism: The Case of Selected High Profile Inmates in the Philippines” during the first day of the conference at the Hotel New Saphir Yogyakarta. Other plenary speakers include Dr. Ibnu Hamad of the University of Indonesia, Prof. Noor Aisha of National University of Singapore, Dr. Koentjoro of Gaja Mada University, Dr. Azhar Ibrahimof National University of Singapore, and Prof. Ronald A. Lukens-Bull of the University of North Florida.

Also attending with the dean was the University Researcher II of the Institute, Kamaruddin Bin Alawi Mohammad. He presented his paper “Origin, Identity, Marginalization, and Development: A Sama-Bajau Story” as a panel discussant on the second day of the conference at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) campus just more or less than five (5) minutes walk from the hotel.

In June 29-30, Mohammad, attended the first International Jogja Youth Camp (eNJOY Camp) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. With the theme: “New Youth Awareness for an Inclusive Region,” the event was organized by State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga (UIN Sunan Kalijaga).

It was attended by sixty three (63) participants who were Ma’had (Islamic school) students, university students, youth activists, and members of youth organizations coming from within and outside Indonesia. Those outside Indonesia include universities from Brunei, Malaysia (International Islamic University Malaysia and Kolej University Islam Selangor), Singapore (National University Singapore and University of Liverpool), Thailand (Prince of Songla University and Thammasat University), and Philippines (University of the Philippines, Diliman). Participating school from Indonesia include the host university (State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga), Gaja Mada University, Duta Wacan Christian University, The State Institute for Islamic Studies of Surakarta (IAIN Surakarta), and among others.