Kırıkkale University and Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Research Foundation for the History of Science in Islam Signed Cooperation Protocols and Gave Public Lectures in Indonesia

Kırıkkale University and Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Research Foundation for the History of Science in Islam Signed Cooperation Protocols and Gave Public Lectures in Indonesia

Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan, Board Director of Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Research Foundation for the History of Science in Islam (IBTAV), Mecit Çetinkaya, Member of the Board of Trustees of IBTAV, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Head of International Office of Kırıkkale University, Assist. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Başer, Deputy Head of International Office of Kırıkkale University, Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehtap Aral Duvan visited Indonesia to give conferences and to sign protocols.

Within the scope of this three-day program, the Committee first visited Gadjah Mada University, Duta Wacana Christian University and Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta.

The Committee first attended the event organized for the 73rd anniversary of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and met Gadjah Mada University Rector Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia and other faculty members for lunch. Then, they visited Duta Wacana Christian University (UKDW). Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan came together with the Rector of Duta Wacana University, Prof. Dr. Henry Feriadi, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Handi Hadiwitanto and the faculty members of the Faculty of Religious Sciences. During the visit, the areas of cooperation were discussed and a cooperation protocol was signed between both universities and UKDW and IBTAV.

Later, the Committee visited the Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta. They exchanged views on mutual cooperation areas. Before the conference, A cooperation protocol was signed between Kırıkkale University, Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Research Foundation for the History of Science in Islam (İBTAV) and the Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta. Then, Member of the Board of Trustees of IBTAV, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan and Board Director of IBTAV, Mecit Çetinkaya mentioned the establishment and importance of IBTAV. After the opening speeches, our Rector gave a lecture entitled “The Common Heritage and Future of Humanity: History of Science”. Rector Prof. Dr. Gunawan Budiyanto, Vice-Chancellor Achmad Nurmandi, Vice-Chancellor Muhammad Faris Al Fadhat, Director of Center for Integrative Science and Islamic Civilization Mohammed Rofiq Muzakkir, Director of Cooperation and International Affairs Dr. Fitri Arofiati, Head of International Relations Dr. Idham Badruzaman, academic staff, undergraduate and graduate students attended the lecture. While talking about the History of Science, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan emphasized that different nations contributed to science throughout history.

On the second day of their visit to Indonesia, the Committee visited the Islamic University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University and State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga in Yogyakarta.

First, the Committee had a meeting with the Rector of the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII), Prof. Dr. Fathul Wahid, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Jaka Nugraha, Dr. Zaenal Arifin, Dr. Rohidin, Dr. Wiryono Raharjo, the deans of faculties and Director of Partnership and International Affairs and his team. During the visit, possible collaboration areas and future projects with different faculties were discussed. After the meeting, the public lecture began. Rector, vice-rectors, academic staff and students from UII participated in the public lecture. After Mecit Çetinkaya and Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan described the works of Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin and the establishment of IBTAV, our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan gave information about the Continuity thesis and emphasized that Muslim scientists were a bridge from the ancient age to the renaissance through the translation activities and their works and contributions to world civilizations. After the Q&A session, the conference ended with a group photo and lunch.

After that, Kırıkkale University and IBTAV had a meeting with Gadjah Mada University Rector, Prof. Dr. Ova Emilia, Vice-Chancellor for Collaboration and Alumni Prof. Dr. Paripurna and University Secretary General Prof. Dr. Wirastuti Widyatmanti. They exchanged ideas to strengthen the cooperation between the two universities and a cooperation protocol was signed. After presenting the gifts, IBTAV Committee talked about Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin's contributions to the History of Science in Islam. Later, the public lecture entitled “Scientific Development: Past, Present and Future Trajectories” began, and our Rector gave a lecture on the History of Science. Following the speech of our Rector, within the scope of this session, Prof. Dr. Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin from State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga and Dr. Dicky Sofjan from Gadjah Mada University also talked about the relationship between religion and science.

Finally, the Committee visited State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga. Our Rector received information about Sunan Kalijaga State University from Rector Al Makin and discussed the collaboration opportunities between the two universities. After the opening speech of Rector Al Makin, who stated that they are very happy to host our university, a cooperation protocol was signed between the two institutions and gifts were presented. Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan and Mecit Çetinkaya emphasized the purpose of the foundation of IBTAV and gave information about Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin's works. The session continued with the speech of our Rector, who highlighted that young people's knowledge of their past plays an important role in shaping the future. He also explained the contributions of Muslim scientists to Islamic and world civilizations with examples from past to present. Our Rector stated that young people should take Fuat Sezgin as an example, who worked 17 hours a day and spoke 27 languages. Finally, Dr. Siti Syamsiyatun from State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga contributed with her speech. After the Q&A session, a group photo was taken together.

On the third day, the Committee visited the Jakarta Islamic Center and the Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta. Our Rector Prof. Dr. Ersan Aslan met the Director of Jakarta Islamic Center, Mohammed Subki, the Deputy Director, Didi Supandi, the Chairman of Jakarta Foundation Council, the Chairman of Jakarta Mosque Council, the Chairman of Jakarta Ulema Council and other officials. After the conference entitled “History of Science in Islam” by Prof.Dr. Ersan Aslan and IBTAV, a cooperation agreement was signed.

The Committee also took part in the Islamic Youth Forum organized at the Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta. After the session, cooperation opportunities were discussed and an agreement was signed between Kırıkkale University and the Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta. At the end of a very productive three-day program, the Committee left Indonesia.