Kabar Nusantara – To strengthen students’ critical thinking and analytical abilities, the Postgraduate Program at UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang successfully organized an international guest lecture series. Held in the Auditorium of Building B on the fourth floor, the event gathered students from various educational levels, creating an inspiring learning environment to refine their scientific reasoning.
Theme and Key Speakers
The guest lecture, themed “Affirming the Vital Role of Research in Advancing Islamic Scholarship and Building Literate Generations Grounded in Values,” featured three prominent experts: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zawawi Ismail from the University of Malaya, Malaysia; Prof. Dr. H. Mudjia Raharjo, M.Si. from UIN Malang; and Prof. Dr. H. Agus Maimun, M.Pd., Director of Postgraduate Studies at UIN Malang. This initiative was specifically designed to spark deep thinking and analytical skills among students.
Vision for Research Internationalization
Prof. Dr. Hj. Suti’ah, M.Pd., Chair of the S3 MPI Program and event coordinator, emphasized the core objectives: “This event invites us to explore how ‘international reasoning’ becomes essential for students in navigating the globalization of education and its developments, manifesting our spirit to stimulate students’ thinking abilities in the context of international research. Through this cross-country collaboration, we guide them in developing comprehensive, relevant, and integrity-based research methodologies that form the foundation of strong scientific thinking.”
National Challenges and Research Foundations from Suti’ah
Prof. Dr. Hj. Suti’ah also highlighted the major challenges facing the nation while underscoring the role of this guest lecture in raising awareness. “The low level of policies supporting research-based science and technology development remains a significant challenge for national progress. Without strong research, there is no innovation, and without innovation, civilization struggles to advance. Through this international guest lecture, we aim to reignite awareness that research is the foundation of change and the key to the future,” she stated. She added, “Postgraduate students at UIN Malang are not merely learning; they are being forged into literate, character-driven Muslim scholars capable of competing globally. I believe that major changes only emerge from those who dare to research, think critically, and commit to truth values that can drive significant transformation.”
Insights on Research Basics from Zawawi Ismail
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zawawi Ismail delved into the fundamentals of research and the importance of deep questions. He explained, “Research is the process of seeking scientific truth, but whether truth is discovered or created is a philosophical question that demands critical thinking.” He also pointed out common mistakes in qualitative research, such as a lack of philosophical understanding and failure to probe sufficiently challenging questions, all of which hinder the development of students’ analytical thinking abilities. He stressed, “Researchers must be able to pose the right questions, dig deeper, and not settle for superficial inquiries about humanity and the world.”
Foundations of Science from Mudjia Raharjo
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. H. Mudjia Raharjo highlighted the role of science as the bedrock of human thinking processes. “Science is the fundamental basis for human thought in conducting various researches,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of independent research conducted by lecturers and students to enhance quality. “For this effort, lecturers’ knowledge and methodological thinking skills, especially in Research Methodology, are crucial. Through research, it is hoped that new knowledge will emerge from innovative thinking processes.”
Strategic Reflections from Agus Maimun
Prof. Dr. H. Agus Maimun opened with reflections on research habits among Indonesian students, reminding them not to rush into methods without considering their fit to the problem. This requires strategic thinking abilities in determining the most appropriate research approaches.
Enthusiastic Participant Response
The event proceeded smoothly and was met with great enthusiasm from all participants, evidenced by the numerous critical questions posed by students to the speakers. This interaction demonstrated the event’s success in igniting critical thinking abilities and high curiosity among students.
Long-Term Impact
By bringing global perspectives and highlighting the importance of deep thinking abilities, UIN Malang not only elevates research quality but also equips students with the intellectual tools needed to become innovative and ethical leaders in the future.
