A New Academic Year, A New Beginning

The start of a new academic year always brings renewed hope and enthusiasm. On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, around 600 new master's and doctoral students at UIN Sunan Kalijaga participated in the Learning Orientation (Sospem) held across various faculties, including the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences (FADIB). This event serves as a vital stage to equip new students with a deep understanding of academic culture and institutional values that will guide them through their intellectual journey in the coming years.

Inspirational Message from the University Leadership

The event began with a formal procession including the singing of the national anthem, the UIN Hymn, and a Qur'anic recitation, followed by a welcoming speech from the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi, S.Ag., M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. In his address, he shared his personal experiences during his master's studies in the Netherlands as a source of motivation. He emphasized the importance of sincere dedication in higher education, especially in generating knowledge that is not only academic but also socially impactful.

"Knowledge must continuously evolve, for we live in a dynamic world," he affirmed.

Strengthening Academic Values at the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences

Following the university-level opening session, the activities continued at the faculty level. The Dean of FADIB, Prof. Dr. Nurdin, S.Ag., S.S., M.A., personally welcomed 29 new students of the Master's Program in Arabic Language and Literature (MBSA) and the Master's Program in Islamic Civilization History (MSPI). In his remarks, he encouraged students to see the transition from undergraduate to graduate studies as an “intellectual leap,” a stage to renew their way of thinking and produce relevant and valuable scholarly work.

"Life is a series of leaps. From bachelor to master’s level is a leap toward intellectual maturity."
— Prof. Dr. Nurdin, Dean of FADIB

Sospem Agenda: Soft Skills and Academic Integrity

Over the course of two days (August 27–28, 2025), MBSA and MSPI students attended a series of sessions including:

• Academic Integrity and Learning Contracts (Dr. Dwi Margo Yuwono)

• Self-regulation and Time Management (Dr. Tika Fitriyah, M.Hum.)

• Social Relations and Empathic Communication (Bambang Hariyanto, Ph.D.)

• Program-specific Sessions (Dr. Andi Holilulloh for MBSA and Dr. Syamsul Arifin for MSPI)

• Academic Systems and Digital Information Services (Salim Athari, S.Kom. from PTIPD)

This orientation also integrated UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s core values: Integration–Interconnection, Dedication–Innovation, and Continuous Improvement. It introduced the paradigm of a Teaching and Research University as the basis for scientific development at UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

In addition to academic systems, students were also introduced to the values of moderate Islam and national identity. This orientation served as a platform to cultivate self-awareness that pursuing a master's degree is both an intellectual and social responsibility. Through this preparation, students are expected to complete their studies with integrity, innovation, and a meaningful contribution to society.