Jakarta, Indonesia — The Islamic World Development Network (IWDN) reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international academic collaboration and expanding global networks for the Indonesian diaspora through the “Gathering and Chatting: Preliminary Series”, held online via Zoom on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Carrying the theme “Ideas of Strengthening International Cooperation and Academic Network for Indonesian Diaspora,” the forum brought together academic and international perspectives from Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Canada. The event provided a platform for exchanging ideas on how Indonesian academics and diaspora communities can build stronger connections and develop meaningful international partnerships.

       The opening session featured Prof. JM. Muslimin, Advisor of IWDN, and Fakih Fadilah Muttaqin, President of IWDN, who delivered the preface and introduced the broader vision of the gathering. Their participation underscored IWDN’s commitment to creating an academic network that connects scholars, students, researchers, and institutions across national borders. The forum also featured a diverse group of international speakers. Chubachi Natsuki, a PhD student at Kyoto University, Japan; N. Syakirah B.M. Adnan from the International Islamic University Malaysia; and Michael Cassidy, Director of International Cooperation at the University of Toronto, Canada, contributed perspectives from their respective academic and institutional environments. The international composition of the speakers reflected the central spirit of the forum: fostering dialogue and collaboration across countries and academic communities. Their participation highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between Indonesian scholars and the wider international academic community. 

      The discussion emphasized that the Indonesian diaspora represents more than a global community of Indonesians living and studying abroad. It also constitutes an important intellectual and professional resource that can contribute to knowledge exchange, academic partnerships, research collaboration, student mobility, and the development of international networks. Through the Gathering and Chatting series, IWDN seeks to create a space where academic conversations can develop into concrete initiatives. The informal yet substantive format allows participants to share experiences, identify common interests, and explore opportunities for future collaboration across institutions and countries. The initiative is particularly significant amid the growing importance of international academic networks. Cross-border collaboration has become increasingly essential for advancing research, expanding access to knowledge, strengthening institutional partnerships, and creating opportunities for young scholars and students to engage with the global academic community. For IWDN, strengthening the Indonesian diaspora network is therefore not simply about maintaining connections among Indonesians abroad. It is part of a broader effort to develop an internationally connected academic ecosystem in which knowledge, expertise, and ideas can move across borders and generate mutual benefits.

       The “Gathering and Chatting: Preliminary Series” marks an important starting point for that vision. By bringing together voices from different countries and academic backgrounds, IWDN aims to transform dialogue into sustainable partnerships and build a stronger platform for international academic cooperation. With continued engagement among scholars, students, institutions, and diaspora communities, IWDN hopes that initiatives such as this will contribute to positioning Indonesian academic networks more prominently within the global landscape of education, research, and intellectual collaboration.

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