Makassar, September 22, 2025 – UIN Alauddin Makassar welcomed the Australia–Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (AIMEP) 2025 Delegation as part of its effort to strengthen international cooperation with the Australian Muslim community.
The delegation consisted of seven participants: Ridvan Kilic (Melbourne), Luke Gibson (Perth), Qudratullah Wahidi (Melbourne), Juliana Jamaluddin (Sydney), Iman Balla (Melbourne), Alaa Karrar (Melbourne), and Anjum Kasmani (Sydney). They were accompanied by Mr. Rowan Gould, Co-Founder of Mosaic Connections AIMEP, and his wife Mrs. Brynna Rafferly Brown.
The visit started with an official meeting at the 3rd Floor of the Rectorate Building, Vice Rector IV Meeting Room. UIN Alauddin Makassar Rector, Prof. Drs. Hamdan Juhannis, M.A., Ph.D., personally welcomed the delegation along with university leaders and faculty deans.
“We are delighted to welcome the AIMEP delegation to our campus. This is the second time the program has visited UIN Alauddin Makassar, after their first visit before the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMEP always brings positive energy in building intercultural dialogue and expanding the global outlook of our academic community,” Prof. Hamdan said.
After the meeting, the delegation joined a lunch and the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Maulid Nabi) at Masjid Agung Sultan Alauddin UINAM. The event also featured a religious talk by Habib Husein Al-Ja’far, attended by students, lecturers, and invited guests.
As part of the program, the AIMEP delegates held a roundtable discussion with 49 selected UIN Alauddin Makassar students. The discussion took place at the 1st Floor of the Rectorate Building, Rectorate Meeting Room, and was opened by Waode Surya Darmadali, S.S., M.Hum., an AIMEP alumna.
The session was divided into seven discussion groups, each focusing on different topics based on the delegates’ expertise and experience. This setup gave students the chance to explore specific issues such as Muslim life in Australia, social and cultural challenges, education, economics, politics, and the role of young people in promoting peace and cross-cultural understanding.
Waode encouraged the students to make the most of this opportunity to broaden their perspectives and share the values of peaceful Islam.
During the session, Mr. Rowan Gould praised the students for their active participation.
“We are very happy with the warm welcome and enthusiasm of UIN Alauddin Makassar students. They not only asked thoughtful questions but also showed great curiosity about the realities of Muslim life in Australia. Discussions like this are essential to strengthen cross-cultural understanding and international relations,” he said.
Through this collaboration, the International Office of UIN Alauddin Makassar sees AIMEP as a strategic step to support the university’s internationalization vision. Programs like AIMEP allow students to expand their global perspectives, build international networks, and play an active role in interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
