By Siti Madihah Ahmad Mahir, UITM Industrial Trainee Student Photo: Saliman Leman 

BANGI, 4 Jan 2011 – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the Northern Illinois University, United States today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to forge closer ties through the exchange of academic scholars and expertise in conducting research.

The collaboration will benefit two institutes from both universities, namely the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) of UKM and The Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) of NIU. KITA and CSEAS have agreed to take appropriate steps in the academic field; to forge a more formal tie while getting the support from the higher managements of both institutions; to organise research projects, seminars and publications while disseminating research information to governmental and non-governmental bodies and the media and to improve the image and profile of both institutions in the international arena through networking and collaborations.

The MoU was signed by Director of KITA, Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin representing UKM, while NIU was represented by Professor Christopher K. Mccord, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dr Deborah L. Pierce from the Institution of International Programme and CSEAS Director Professor James T. Collins.

The ceremony was held at the Equatorial Hotel here followed by a two-day conference entitled Southeast Europe and Southeast Asia: Islam, Mergers and Margins. Prof Shamsul said the conference is aimed at examining the commonalities between the plural societies of Southeastern Europe and Southeast Asia. He likened the conference as perhaps the first step towards making sense of the relationship and comparisons between Southeast Europe and Southeast Asia. “It is also the aim of this conference to contribute to informing and educating Malaysians and the larger world community about this so-called ‘unity in diversity’ that characterises the societies of Southeast Europe and Southeast Asia and the contemporary transformation that they are undergoing.” He said that the commonalities between the ‘plural societies” of Southeastern Europe and Southeastern Asia with each region exhibiting complex, parallel and different ways by their long-standing interactions with Islamic civilization.

A total pf 11 papers were presented at the conference which touches on Islam and the impact of globalization.

Among them: Thailand-Malaysia-Indonesia/Greece-Mecedonia-Bulgaria: Parallels and Prospects – Dr Victor Friedman (University of Chicago); Tempering Faith with Moderation - Prof. Dato’ Mohamed Abu Bakar  (University Malaya); Ukhuwwah Islamiyah in Contemporary Times: The Case of Indonesia and Bosnia – Prof. Dr Azyumardi Azra (UIN Hidayatullah, Jakarta); Global Jihadism in Indonesia and Bosnia – Dr John Calvert (Creighton University); Impact of Globalisation : The Islamic Response – Prof. Dato’ Dr Ismail Ibrahim (UKM); Contribution of Indian Muslims to the growth of Economy in Malaysia – Assc. Prof. Dr Wan Kamal Mujani  (UKM) and Local and Cosmopolitan Dimensions of Islam in Maluku - Prof. Dr Timo Kartinen, (Helsinki University).