As a strategic step towards establishing a double degree program, the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FDI) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta conducted a benchmarking visit to UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Held in the meeting room of the 2nd floor of the Graduate School (SPS) at UIN Surabaya, this event, infused with enthusiasm and a spirit of collaboration, brought together 15 participants from FDI. SPS UIN Surabaya was selected for its success in implementing a double degree program, which is hoped to serve as a technical model for FDI in developing a similar program.

The event began with a welcoming speech from the head of the FDI delegation, Dr. Mu’min Rouf, Vice Dean II of FDI, who expressed gratitude for the warm reception by UIN Surabaya. Dr. Mu’min highlighted that the primary goal of the visit was to gain direct insights into managing a double degree program, particularly the one implemented by UIN Surabaya in partnership with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and supported by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag). "We hope to learn from UIN Surabaya's experience in designing and organizing this program so that we can optimally prepare our own double degree program at FDI," he expressed.

Willy Oktaviano, Lc., MA, Head of the Master's Program in Islamic Studies at FDI, explained that FDI has an initial concept of a research-based double degree collaboration with the University of Malaya. “We see significant potential in developing a research-based program where students can take courses at FDI and then conduct research at the University of Malaya,” he explained. He added that this collaboration is expected to broaden students' opportunities to gain international experience with a rigorous academic approach.

The Head of the Master’s Program in Sharia Economics at UIN Surabaya, representing the host institution, shared key insights regarding the necessary administrative steps in designing a double degree program. He emphasized that intensive communication with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, as the PTKIN authority, is crucial. In addition, he stressed the importance of curriculum alignment between both institutions, which has been successfully implemented in their Sharia Economics and Islamic Banking and Finance collaboration. "To facilitate effective course conversions, both study programs need a comprehensive understanding of each other's curriculum," he explained.

In conclusion, Dr. Hammis Syafaq, M.Fil.I, Deputy Director of SPS UIN Sunan Ampel, highlighted the main challenge in implementing double degree programs, which is funding. He explained that funding from the Indonesia Rising Scholarship (BIB) has currently been limited due to several constraints. This challenge serves as an important note for FDI to explore potential financial support from other partners to ensure the sustainability of the program.