Depok, Indonesia — The Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) continues to strengthen its innovative Independent Project Course, an academic initiative designed to equip students with practical competencies beyond traditional classroom-based learning. The course encourages students to produce creative outputs such as videos and news articles, as well as to undertake internships at partner institutions that have established Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the faculty.
The partner institutions involved include Maarif Institute, Social Trust Fund (STF) UIN Jakarta, Badan Pengelola Masjid Istiqlal (BPMI), and Yayasan Islam Al-Hamidiyah Sjaichu. These collaborations reflect FIS UIII’s broader commitment to building interdisciplinary and inter-institutional linkages that span not only civil society, but also higher education institutions, religious organizations, and public-service institutions involved in knowledge production and community engagement.
In the 2025 implementation of the program, seven students participated in internships. Six students were placed at STF UIN Jakarta, while one student undertook an internship at BPMI.
Students reported substantial gains in practical skills through these placements. Those at STF UIN Jakarta were involved in activities such as fundraising initiatives and volunteer program management, providing them with direct experience in institutional coordination, community engagement, and resource mobilization.
Meanwhile, the student placed at BPMI gained hands-on experience in managing lecturer schedules and assisting in the organization of public events at Masjid Istiqlal, one of Indonesia’s most prominent national mosques. This role offered valuable exposure to administrative systems and large-scale event management within a major religious institution.
The internship program has also provided tangible benefits to partner institutions, which have been supported by student contributions in day-to-day operations and program implementation. In addition, the participation of international students—including those from Pakistan and Nigeria—has enriched host institutions with cross-cultural perspectives and enhanced their international exposure.
For FIS UIII, the Independent Project Course represents an important step in bridging academic learning with professional practice. By integrating internships into its curriculum, the faculty aims to broaden students’ career prospects beyond academia while strengthening institutional collaboration across academic and non-academic sectors.