UMNU-- Ma’arif Nahdlatul Ulama University (UMNU) Kebumen held an International Academic Visit & Cross-Cultural Understanding Seminar on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Aswaja Center Building. This event aimed to broaden students’ horizons while fostering mutual appreciation and respect for cultural diversity across regions and nations. The event featured five academics from the Maldives and was attended by faculty and students from the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM). A total of 100 students from the English Language Education Program enthusiastically participated in the event.

This event was the result of a cross-university collaboration involving the Islamic University of the Maldives (IUM), UIN Saizu Purwokerto, and universities within the LPTNU network. It is hoped that this collaboration will develop into a regular annual program. Through this event, students and guests from the Maldives were able to gain new insights through sessions focused on sharing knowledge and culture. Furthermore, this event served as a space to foster understanding and mutual respect for cultural differences.

“Not to mention every country—every region certainly has its own culture. In Indonesia, we also have a wonderful philosophy: ‘Wherever you set foot, honor the sky above,’” said Alek Andika, M.Pd., the instructor for the Cross-Cultural Understanding course.

A similar sentiment was expressed by IUM Rector Muhammad Mansyur in his remarks. He stated that the visit to UMNU Kebumen was intended to share and exchange knowledge and experiences, as well as to open opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration. He also expressed his gratitude to the entire UMNU Kebumen academic community for welcoming the guests from the Maldives with such warmth and hospitality.

Meanwhile, the Rector of UMNU Kebumen expressed hope that this collaboration would develop in various forms, such as student exchanges, joint teaching initiatives, and the organization of joint academic conferences in the future.