UNIDA Gontor marks a new milestone of global recognition during its visit to Kazakhstan (https://unida.gontor.ac.id/unida-gontor-is-poised-to-embrace-new-bilateral-ties-with-kazakhstan/). Al Farabi Kazakh National University, the 150th ranked by QS Global University Ranking has welcomed the formal visit of Unida Gontor led by the Rector, Prof.Dr.K.H. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi, M.A.,Ed., M.Phil. The visit in conjunction with the invitation to deliver a speech during a plenary session at the First International Scientific Conference ” A New Path to Decarbonization of the Economy”, 8-10 November 2023. His formidable speech which entitled “Eco-Theology: an Islamic Perspective has been noted as a new way of how eco-theology can be embedded as a basic principle of human efforts to reduce carbon emissions that hitherto remains unresolved issues. Many global experts in the field of green economy, social environment, ecology were present and indeed impressed with his speech.

Meanwhile, during this conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akhmad Affandi Mahfudz, CPIF delivered his paper entitled ” Sustainable linked-Sukuk to reduce carbon Emissions Initiative: Is it Effective for Indonesia recorded as the only paper on how Islamic finance (Sukuk) can be structured as an alternative of financial instrument to fund decarbonization efforts. He is also appointed by this university as Visiting Professor in Islamic finance for the second term that will lapse on 28th November 2023.

In addition, as part of visit program, FGD (Focused Group Discussion) has been conducted at the Faculty of Higher School of Business and Economics. The FGD has been formally opened and welcomed by the Dean, Prof. Dr. Bimendieva Laila Abdrashovna. In this regard, a paper on Islamic Human Resources presented by Dr. Muhammad Ridlo remains as a new thought of how entrepreneurial leadership in human resource management can be adopted. Meanwhile, the Rector also shared the concept of Islamic Human resources at Unida Gontor regarded as a new dimension of human resources implementation that combines the academic and non-academics values.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both universities have been signed on 10th November 2023 to mark a new milestone of both universities that encompass the academic mobility program (students and academician), scholarship, joint research and publication, joint organizer of international events and many others.

As a warm welcome of the visit, the Rector of Al Farabi Kazakh National University, also Chairman of the Board, Tuimebayev Zhanseit has served with an immense dinner and lunch along with other distinguished delegates from other countries. In addition, the dinner has been served with some local dishes and performances as an appreciation to Unida Gontor including Indonesian students (Javanese Dance) performance.

The above visit expects an exponential impact to both universities that wreak benefits in many fields.