The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, virtually represented by Regional Hub Indonesia, has attended an online conference for the inauguration of the buildings of the State Islamic University of Walisongo, Central Java.

The event was also attended by key officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Bappenas, Ministry of Finance and the Executing Agency as well as the representatives of the State Islamic University of Walisongo using a strict Covid-19 protocol.

During the conference, Mr. Salah Jelassi, Regional Head of IsDB Group Regional Hub Indonesia, congratulated Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and the management of the University for achieving this important milestone. “IsDB places education at the core of each policy document such as IsDB Group’s 10 Year Strategy, IsDB President's 5-year Programme (P5P), and Education Sector Policy. The crucial role of education in increasing incomes, improving social development, reducing poverty is materialised through supporting Islamic higher education projects which address the local, regional, and national needs,” he elaborated.

The integrated campus of the State Islamic University of Walisongo is one of the many educational projects that IsDB is currently supporting in Indonesia and this university is part of ‘the Development of Islamic Higher Education Project’ or the IND 164 Project. This project supports the development and improvement of four (4) Islamic state universities, namely: State Islamic University of Walisongo Semarang, State Islamic University of Mataram, State Islamic University of North Sumatera, and State Islamic University of Raden Fatah Palembang.

Under the IsDB financing, the proposed project scope for the State Islamic University of Walisongo includes the construction of eight new buildings of approximately 26,400 m2 as well as supporting infrastructure, equipment, furniture, and furnishing. And one of the crown jewels is the construction of the planetarium and observatorium with advanced equipment that places the Islamic State University of Walisongo as the leading player in astronomy throughout the country.