The Faculty of Islamic Studies (FDI) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta welcomed a delegation from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, as part of a benchmarking initiative for academic programmes. The meeting, held in the faculty’s second-floor conference room, was attended by ten participants and formally opened by Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr Imam Sujoko, representing the Dean of FDI.

Dr Imam was joined by Vice Dean for General Administration Dr Mu’min Roup, Vice Dean for Student Affairs Dr Fatihunnada, Head of the Dirasat Islamiyah Study Programme Dr Aida Humaira, team leader Ahmadi, M.Si., and academic representative Waskito Wibowo, MA.

The visiting delegation from UIN Sunan Kalijaga was led by Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law, Dr Ocktoberrinsyah, accompanied by Head of Comparative Schools of Law Programme Vita Fitria, S.Ag., M.Ag., and lecturers Shohibul Adhkar, M.H., and Husnul Khitam, Lc., M.H.

In his remarks, Dr Imam explained that FDI was established through a collaboration between Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Egypt’s Al-Azhar University. While its curriculum draws heavily from Al-Azhar, adjustments have been made to align with institutional policies and market needs. He noted that FDI remains the only programme within Indonesia’s State Islamic Higher Education institutions (PTKIN) to use Arabic as the medium of instruction, but faces challenges including a decline in enrolment, driven in part by government efficiency policies and recent regulatory changes at Al-Azhar.

Speaking on behalf of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr Ocktoberrinsyah said the visit aimed to study the management of international classes and FDI’s strategies for addressing such challenges. This aligns with a directive from the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector to launch an international class in 2025. “Although the class has already been opened this year, there have been no applicants. We are therefore seeking the best formula to attract prospective students,” he said.

A presentation by Dr Aida Humaira highlighted FDI’s history, entry requirements, admission routes, student activities, and achievements. This led to a lively discussion in which the visiting team raised questions on scholarship mechanisms, the presence of international students, recognition of international class graduates abroad, and Arabic proficiency standards for prospective students.

Concluding the meeting, FDI representatives stressed that the sustainability of any international class would depend on the readiness of highly competent human resources — including lecturers, administrative staff, and students.