UIN Public Relations – International academic collaboration between Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin State Islamic University (UIN SMH) Banten and educational partners in Saudi Arabia continues to be strengthened through international research and community service (PkM) initiatives. The series of events, which took place on September 27, 2026, at the Indonesian School in Jeddah (SIJ) and on September 28, 2026, at the Indonesian School in Mecca (SIM), addressed strategic issues regarding religious motivation, AI-based transformation of Arabic language learning, AI-assisted academic writing, and religious moderation literacy.
The implementation of this program is part of a concrete effort to expand the academic network of UIN SMH Banten, while also demonstrating the strategic contribution of Indonesian Islamic universities in responding to technological advancements and meeting the educational needs of the Indonesian community abroad.
The academic agenda includes three major research and community service projects. The first study focuses on the theme “Religious Motivation: Perceptions and Psychometric Evaluations Among College Students,” led by Dr. Rijal Firdaos. This research aims to understand students’ religious motivation through an in-depth psychometric approach. Dr. Rijal Firdaos explained that this approach is necessary so that the aspects of perception, tendencies, and constructs of religious motivation can be examined more systematically and measurably amid the dynamics of today’s younger generation.
The second study, titled “Transforming Arabic Language Learning Using AI: An International Collaborative Approach Between UIN Banten and Saudi Arabia,” was conducted by Dr. Siti Shalihah. This study positions artificial intelligence as a key tool in the revolution of Arabic language learning. According to Dr. Siti Shalihah, the use of technology is designed to create a learning ecosystem that is more adaptive, collaborative, and in line with the developments of the global digital era without compromising the academic essence of the language.
Meanwhile, the international community service activity was held under the theme “AI-Assisted Academic Writing Assistance and Religious Moderation Literacy for Students and Teachers in Saudi Arabia.” This community service program was led by Prof. Dr. Sholahuddin Al Ayubi and Umayah, S.Psi, MA. The program integrates AI-based academic writing support with the promotion of religious moderation literacy for students and educators in Saudi Arabia. Prof. Dr. Sholahuddin Al Ayubi stated that the integration of AI technology into scholarly writing must go hand in hand with the instillation of values of moderation so that academics continue to uphold integrity and scientific ethics.
The entire series of activities in Jeddah and Mecca was preceded by academic and institutional coordination with the Education and Culture Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Riyadh, including coordination with Prof. Dr. Irfan Hielmy, Lc, MA. This collaborative effort was followed by a warm welcome and full support from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Jeddah during the research team’s stay at the diplomatic mission.
The research and Community Engagement (PkM) program received a warm welcome and positive feedback from the students. A number of students, including Kamil, Novi, Alis, and Rahmawati, participated in the entire series of events with a high level of engagement and academic interaction. One of the student representatives, Kamil, noted that the presence of academics from Indonesia provided a fresh perspective on the wise use of AI technology in the academic world. The students’ active participation demonstrates that this international event successfully fostered direct dialogue between academics and students abroad.
Through the spirit of “Campus with Impact,” UIN SMH Banten has demonstrated that the internationalization of higher education does not stop at the theoretical level, but is realized through concrete actions such as cross-border collaboration, academic mentoring, strengthening digital literacy, and upholding the values of moderate and sustainable religious moderation.
The post Through International Research and Community Engagement, UIN SMH Banten Strengthens AI Literacy and Religious Moderation in Saudi Arabia first appeared on Spirituality, Intellectuality, Professionalism.
