ITB and BJB Syariah Forge Strategic Partnership for Sharia Finance Ecosystem
By Bashravie Thamrin - Mahasiswa Manajemen, 2024
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) established a strategic collaboration with PT Bank Jabar Banten Syariah (BJB Syariah) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement was signed by ITB Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., and President Director of BJB Syariah, Arief Setyahadi, on Friday (May 2, 2025), at the ITB Rectorate Building.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Tata said that ITB is open to collaborating with various strategic partners, including Islamic financial institutions.
“We warmly welcome this collaborative initiative. ITB certainly requires banking services in its operations, and we have long held a policy of engaging with multiple partners. This collaboration adds to ITB’s option, especially in exploring sharia-based financial systems,” he stated.
Prof. Tata also added that the turnover of funds on campus is quite high, especially from students' activities and business units, such as the university canteens. He encouraged immediate identification of these potential areas as part of developing the partnership.
“I think this is a great opportunity to initiate a partnership with an Islamic bank. Hopefully, this collaboration can be mutually beneficial for both parties,” he said. 
Meanwhile, the President Director of BJB Syariah, Arief Setyahadi, described the partnership as both a mark of trust and a strategic opportunity for BJB Syariah to expand its network and offer Islamic financial solutions in the higher education sector.
“It is a great honor for us to be able to collaborate with ITB. We see this synergy as an extraordinary first step, and hope that in the future it can continue to be developed through business-matching activities and concrete collaboration,” he said.
The collaboration between ITB and BJB Syariah is the first step to build synergy between the academic sector and Islamic banking. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ITB will provide Sharia-compliant services and products to support BJB Syariah’s operations, including fund management through current accounts, savings, and deposits.
Both parties are also exploring cooperation in Sharia-based financing to support BJB Syariah’s business development, as well as banking services such as membership ATM cards, virtual accounts, and other administrative services, which will be further regulated in a separate agreement.
With this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), it is hoped that the collaboration between ITB and BJB Syariah can serve as a model for partnerships that uphold the principles of good governance, inclusivity, and sustainability. Particularly in the field of Islamic banking and educational institutions.
Reporter: Bashravie Thamrin (Management, 2024)
Translator: Senandung Shauma Bidadari (Management, 2026)
