Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, Indonesia’s ‘Nahdlatul Ulama University’ organise scientific forum

emirates7 - The Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities recently hosted the "Scientific Forum for Programme Development" in partnership with Nahdlatul Ulama University in Indonesia. This initiative marks a significant step toward establishing the Mohamed Bin Zayed College of Future Studies (MBZ CFS) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The college is the result of a strategic collaboration between the governments of the UAE and Indonesia. Yogyakarta, known for its esteemed academic reputation, was selected as the ideal location, reflecting the shared vision and partnership between the two nations.

The two-day forum produced significant outcomes, including strengthened coordination between joint scientific committees to foster knowledge exchange and collaborative experience. Discussions focused on future operational plans, integrating academic and administrative frameworks for the college's development.

The Mohamed Bin Zayed College of Future Studies is designed to be a world-class institution, combining Islamic values with advanced studies of future-oriented disciplines. It is set to welcome its first cohort of students in 2026.

Alongside the forum, meetings and workshops were conducted between international committees from both institutions. These sessions facilitated the exchange of expertise and reviewed key aspects of the project, including curriculum development, digital system requirements, and academic quality standards.

The forum also explored research initiatives to position the college as a global leader in future studies and a hub for innovation. The college aims to equip students with practical expertise and advanced skills to address global challenges.

Its academic programmes will focus on critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence, the digital economy, sustainable innovation, Islamic jurisprudence, and contemporary ijtihad, fostering a generation of innovative leaders and thinkers.

In its initial phase, the college will offer six specialized master’s programmes: Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Digital Business Management, Food Engineering and Technology, Global Innovation and Future Studies, Sustainable Critical Infrastructure, and Humanities and Social Sciences, including Islamic Jurisprudence, Contemporary Ijtihad, and Islamic Economics.

Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, emphasized the forum's importance in aligning academic programmes with industry needs, labour market demands, and societal priorities. He praised the collaboration between the UAE and Indonesian governments and Nahdlatul Ulama University, calling it a model for successful international partnerships.

Dr. Al Dhaheri highlighted the college’s role in advancing sustainable development and preparing skilled professionals to meet future challenges. He also noted that the Mohamed Bin Zayed College of Future Studies would elevate the UAE and Indonesia's status as leaders in innovation and academic excellence.

He described the college as a global platform for exchanging ideas and crafting creative solutions to pressing global issues, cementing its position as a pioneering academic initiative on the international stage.