Inp.polri.go.id - Kudus.  Minister of Elementary and Middle Education, Abdul Mu’ti, confirmed  that the Indonesian language has officially become an undergraduate study program at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, marking the first time Indonesia’s national language is taught as a bachelor’s degree at the world-renowned Islamic institution.

“For the first time, the Indonesian Language Study Program opened at Al-Azhar, and immediately 350 Egyptian nationals registered and chose it as their major,” he announced on Saturday (22/11/2025), as cited by antaranews.com

The program’s launch follows long-term cooperation between Indonesia and Egypt to expand global recognition of the Indonesian language. 

Minister Mu’ti emphasized said the initiative strengthens Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy and supports the national agenda to elevate Indonesian internationally. 

Currently, 57 countries provide Indonesian instruction, ranging from short foreign-language courses to full-fledged academic programs. The accreditation at Al-Azhar is regarded as a major breakthrough within this expansion strategy.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)