The Regional Conference (Muswil) of the Indonesian Association of Islamic Economists (IAEI) for the North Sumatra Region appointed Dr. Kaswinata as Chair of the IAEI North Sumatra Regional Executive Board for the 2026–2031 term. The Regional Conference, held in the Rector’s Meeting Room at Dharmawangsa University in Medan on Friday, September 4, served as a milestone for both strengthening and reactivating the IAEI organization in North Sumatra. Kaswinata was elected through a secret ballot after several candidates were nominated by participants with voting rights.
IAEI Secretary-General Dr. Sutan Emir Hidayat was also present and provided guidance on the Regional Congress agenda. He stated that holding the Regional Congress is part of the organizational reactivation effort to once again strengthen IAEI’s presence and contributions in North Sumatra. “This Regional Congress is a form of reactivation initiated by the central office to revitalize IAEI in North Sumatra,” said Sutan Emir.
He expressed hope that the new leadership would foster organizational consolidation while strengthening the IAEI’s role in the development of the Islamic economy and finance in the region.
Kaswinata, as Chair of the Regional Executive Board (DPW), expressed his commitment to transforming the IAEI North Sumatra into an inclusive, productive, and sustainable organization. Organizational strengthening must go hand in hand with efforts to increase the contribution of the Islamic economy to North Sumatra’s overall economy.
“Let’s make IAEI an inclusive organization so that it can operate productively and sustainably to grow and increase the share of the Islamic economy in North Sumatra compared to previous years,” emphasized Kaswinata.
Kaswinata believes that the development of the Islamic economy cannot be achieved by a single institution alone. Collaboration with various stakeholders is essential to strengthen the ecosystem, improve financial literacy and inclusion, and expand public access to Islamic economic and financial services.
IAEI North Sumatra will establish and strengthen partnerships with various stakeholders, including the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Bank Indonesia, Islamic banks, and players in the Islamic capital market.
The Regional Conference serves as part of the effort to strengthen IAEI’s network within the higher education sector. Umar Hamdan Nasution, Vice Rector III of Dharmawangsa University, welcomed the Regional Conference and expressed hope that this event would strengthen ties between the university and IAEI. The Dharmawangsa University Foundation also expressed its support for strengthening the IAEI organization in North Sumatra and opened the possibility of establishing an IAEI chapter at Dharmawangsa University.
The Regional Conference was attended by representatives from 12 public and private universities (PTN/PTS) in North Sumatra, as well as one active branch—the Medan State Polytechnic (Polmed). A number of prominent figures were also in attendance, including IAEI Secretary-General Dr. Sutan Emir Hidayat, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Dharmawangsa University Dr. Amri Nasution, and IAEI Western Region Coordinator Prof. M. Yafiz.
With the formation of this new leadership, IAEI North Sumatra is expected to play an increasingly active role in promoting the development of Islamic economics and finance, strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, and implementing programs that have a tangible impact on the community and the regional economy.
