A delegation from the Advanced Education for National Leaders Program of the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia (LEMHANNAS) visited the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) as part of their Overseas Strategic Study Program. The academic engagement was held on August 14, 2025, at Room 300, Virata Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. The visit aimed to provide the Indonesian participants with a deeper understanding and broader perspective on national policies implemented by Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.
Representing UP IIS, Asst. Prof. Darwin Absari, College Secretary, delivered a series of lectures on relevant topics, including (a) Islam in Nation-Building: The Role of Filipino Muslims in Shaping the Philippine Republic; (b) Unity in Diversity: The Place of Islam in the Political Tapestry of the Philippines; and (c) Empowering the Nation: Islamic Political Participation and the Quest for Inclusive Governance.
He also discussed ongoing and emerging developments in Muslim affairs in the Philippines, particularly the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (PD 1083), the expansion of Shari’ah Courts, the growth of the Halal industry, and the advancement of Islamic Banking and Finance.
During the open forum, the LEMHANNAS delegation engaged Prof. Absari on various topics, such as the integration of social sciences into Islamic curricula, academic collaboration between UP IIS and Indonesian universities, and the role of civil society in Muslim affairs. The delegation likewise expressed interest in pursuing academic partnerships with UP IIS, to which Prof. Absari affirmed the Institute’s openness to future collaborations.
The academic visit was organized in cooperation with the UP Office of International Linkages (UP OIL) and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Manila. The delegation was composed of 38 participants of the Advanced Education for National Leaders Program.
