Hartford, CT. — In a move that underscores Indonesia’s growing academic ties with American institutions, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sulthan Thaha Saifuddin Jambi signed a Letter of Intent to Collaborate with Hartford International University (HIU) on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The agreement was formalized by Dion Ginanto, coordinator of UIN STS Jambi’s PLKI-LPPM, representing the rector, alongside Dr. Deena Grant, dean and vice president of HIU. The partnership, backed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs through its Visiting Professor and Lecturer Program, is designed to expand opportunities for joint teaching, research, and community engagement.
At the heart of the agreement are several initiatives: a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program, a series of international webinars, and guest lectures conducted virtually. Both institutions also pledged to hold follow-up meetings to refine the collaboration and ensure that activities remain accessible across borders.
HIU, a long-standing partner of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, has built its reputation on interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding at the global level. For UIN STS Jambi, the collaboration represents not only an academic exchange but also a chance to position itself within international conversations on religion and education.
Kasful Anwar, a senior official at the ministry, emphasized the trust placed in Dion Ginanto to lead the initiative. “I entrust cooperation with the United States, especially with Hartford International University, to Dr. Dion Ginanto, so that the Visiting Scholar Program can be maximized,” he said.
Ginanto, in turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “I am deeply thankful to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and UIN STS Jambi for granting us the chance to carry out a visiting scholar program in the United States,” he noted.
Dr. Grant highlighted the practical potential of the partnership. “We have an opportunity to develop COIL classes,” she said. “I look forward to making this collaboration a reality.”
For UIN STS Jambi, the signing marks a step toward greater international visibility. For HIU, it reinforces its role as a hub for global dialogue. And for Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, it signals a commitment to ensuring that its universities are not only participants but also contributors in the global academic landscape.