Nurturing Hope (2)

By Dr. Abdul Ghoffar, M.B.A.

[OPINION] In April 2022, a team was formed to prepare a proposal that was both strategic and ambitious. Titled “Project Proposal for School of Future Studies in Indonesia,” the proposal envisioned establishing a center for the advancement of knowledge and future studies that could make a tangible contribution to higher education in Indonesia. To bring this vision to life, the proposal was submitted to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the hope of establishing a strong partnership between the two countries.

We have much to be grateful for, as relations between Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) were strong at the time. We also had a close relationship with President Jokowi, particularly after he generously donated a building to support the development of UNU. This relationship and the trust it fostered opened the door for the initiative to receive attention at the highest level.

When President Jokowi planned a visit to the UAE, he agreed to carry the proposal on our behalf. He even personally handed it to MBZ. An initiative that had begun with discussions and document preparation was finally given the opportunity to be presented directly to the leader of a friendly nation. Alhamdulillah, the proposal was well received. The next step was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nahdlatul Ulama's Central Board (PBNU) and UAE representatives, witnessed by both heads of state.

For me, this journey offers an important lesson. A good idea requires more than conviction. It calls for diligent work, the right networks, trust, and the courage to open doors. Sometimes, opportunities arise from relationships carefully built long before they are needed. That is why nurturing trust is just as important as developing the idea itself.

However, the acceptance of the proposal and the signing of the MoU were certainly not the end of the journey. Rather, they marked the beginning of the real work. Turning a major idea into a functioning institution requires a lengthy process, patience, and perseverance from many parties.

Preparations for the School of Future Studies took considerable time. Throughout the process, delegations from UNU Yogyakarta and the UAE, represented in this partnership by the University of Humanities UAE (UH-UEA), visited one another and held discussions to refine the preparations. Many matters had to be discussed, aligned, and carefully reviewed to translate the agreed vision into concrete steps.

Nearly three years were needed to finalize these preparations. This lengthy process demonstrates that international cooperation is far from simple. Differences in systems, governance, procedures, and various requirements must be understood and addressed together. All of this requires intensive communication and a willingness to find common ground.

To the best of my knowledge, as I was not directly involved in every stage of the process, news emerged around the Islamic New Year 1447 AH, in approximately June 2025, that plans for the construction of the MBZ Building and student dormitory had been agreed upon. Construction was scheduled to begin in December 2025. This news brought renewed hope. After a long journey, what had begun as an idea and a set of documents was moving toward physical realization.

Construction then began. Piles had been driven into the ground, marking the transition of this endeavor from a plan on paper to something tangible. Something was beginning to take shape, something that could be seen, and something that we hoped would one day become a home for new ideas to flourish. For an educational institution, constructing a building is not merely about putting up a structure. It is also about creating space for new ideas, the advancement of knowledge, and encounters among people who wish to contribute to the future.

However, journeys do not always proceed in a straight line according to plan. When UNU's new leadership reviewed the relevant construction documents, several inconsistencies were identified. These discrepancies needed to be resolved first to ensure that construction proceeded on a clear foundation and did not create problems in the future.

As a result, construction had to be temporarily suspended. At the time of writing, efforts to resolve these issues are still underway. This is certainly not the situation we had hoped for. Some plans must wait, some work remains unfinished, and some hopes must temporarily be held with patience.

Nevertheless, I believe that prudence is an essential part of institution-building. Resolving issues at the outset may require additional time, but it is far better than allowing them to grow into more serious obstacles in the future. We hope that all outstanding matters can be resolved soon so that construction can resume and be completed according to the planned schedule, while allowing sufficient time to address the issues that remain.

Meanwhile, the effort to establish the School of Future Studies extends beyond the construction of a building. From the outset, this collaboration was also designed to develop a range of programs focused on future studies. These include degree programs, particularly at the master's level, as well as non-degree programs intended to enrich learning, research, and the development of new ideas.

Alhamdulillah, an important milestone has been achieved. The master's program in Islamic Studies was submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and its operating permit has been issued. God willing, the program can begin operating next year. Other programs are expected to follow gradually as campus infrastructure becomes ready and the necessary supporting requirements are finalized.

Thus, while physical construction still requires further resolution, academic development continues. This is an important point to recognize. What we ultimately seek to build is not merely a building, but an educational ecosystem in which knowledge can advance, academic traditions can flourish, and future generations can find space to learn and contribute.

We certainly hope that all the plans we have laid out will proceed smoothly. Challenges remain, and issues still need to be resolved. But is this not the nature of any meaningful endeavor? Not everything unfolds as we wish, not every plan immediately becomes reality, and not every door opens when we knock.

It is precisely through such moments that we learn patience, diligence, and solidarity. Challenges are not always obstacles; often, they provide opportunities to improve foundations, strengthen governance, and discover better ways forward. With a spirit of collaboration, open communication, and a commitment to finding solutions, God willing, we can address each issue as well as possible.

Ultimately, nurturing hope does not mean turning a blind eye to reality. It means being willing to see circumstances clearly, resolve problems earnestly, and keep moving forward even when the journey remains difficult. We have embarked on this endeavor together. May Allah grant us ease, strengthen our resolve, and make the School of Future Studies a pathway for UNU to continue growing, developing, and serving the wider community.

About the Author

Dr. Abdul Ghoffar, M.B.A., currently serves as Vice Rector for Pesantren Education and Social Transformation at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta. In addition to his work as an academic, he is active in social advocacy and Islamic scholarship. He also serves as an A'wan Syuriah of the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board of Yogyakarta (PWNU DIY) for the 2022–2027 term.

Editor: Latifah

Editor's Note: This article was written by the author. All content, views, interpretations, and information presented are the author's responsibility. The editorial team is not responsible for the views or opinions expressed, apart from the editing undertaken for publication.