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WNAM REPORT: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH) has reached a landmark agreement with Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) and the World University Association for Community Development (WUACD) to significantly expand academic cooperation and community-focused development programmes.
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, met with Prof. Dr. Muhammad Madyan, Rector of Universitas Airlangga and Chairman of WUACD, to finalize the partnership framework that will take effect in 2026.
The collaboration centers on several priority areas including a six-month placement initiative for young students and researchers, with COMSTECH covering international travel and visa arrangements while Indonesian institutions provide full hospitality.
The programme aims to promote academic exposure, cultural exchange, and deeper integration of international students into the host university’s academic and research environment.
Joint research initiatives will span health sciences, social sciences, innovative education, and environmental sustainability, alongside capacity building programmes designed to strengthen institutional capabilities across participating universities.
The partnership will also focus on sustainability-driven community development projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Prof. Choudhary emphasized COMSTECH’s dedication to fostering meaningful partnerships among universities and research institutions across OIC member states.
“This collaboration represents our commitment to impact-driven programmes that bridge academic excellence with tangible community benefits,” he stated.
Prof. Madyan reinforced Universitas Airlangga’s enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the university’s role in advancing knowledge sharing and international academic cooperation. “Universities must serve as engines for community development and cross-border collaboration,” he noted.
The agreement marks a significant step toward deeper integration of academic resources, cultural exchange, and research capacity across the OIC network, with both parties committing to structured programmes and regular monitoring of outcomes.
