Officials from Thompson Rivers University and the International Islamic Education Council (IIEC) in Indonesia signed an agreement to join together to expand teaching and learning opportunities for their respective students.

The signing on Thursday, July 14 followed the successful three-week visit of 135 IIEC students from Jakarta who called Kamloops and TRU home as they worked on their English and a better understanding of Western culture.

“TRU is establishing itself at the forefront of Canadian Universities to develop a relationship with the developing, but potentially large university sector in the Republic of Indonesia,” said Dr. Wesley Koczka, Associate Vice-President, TRU World Global Operations.

“We are researching very complex problems here at TRU that will only be solved by taking an interdisciplinary and international approach,” said Dr. Alan Shaver, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor. “Indonesia is a distinctive and vibrant country and this agreement offers another dimension to the globalization of our campus.”

In June the IIEC students concluded their three-week stay with an hour-long cultural performance that resonated with all who attended. The students were more than eager to give back to the community with an afternoon of music and dance.

“We have noticed such a change in the students that were here in June,” said Sri Indah Permata, Vice President, IIEC. “Not only did they receive proper academic education and improve their English skills, these students came home with greater confidence.”

In the short-term IIEC will continue to send their students to TRU for the 4-6 week language and culture program each year. The council is also interested in sending faculty from its three institutions: the International Islamic Secondary School (IISS), the International Islamic High School (IIHS) and the International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS). These schools were developed with the concept of uniting spiritual and physical education. An overseas study unit is part of the IIEC’s programs.

The two institutions will consider exploring articulation possibilities and faculty exchange at the post-secondary level once IIEC’s university is established in two years.

The IIEC was established in 2007 to accommodate the development of a comprehensive education system to incorporate the teachings of Islam with a sound academic curriculum and prepare Indonesian students for the global market.

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