Jakarta, FU Online News – The Meeting Room on the 4th Floor of the Faculty of Ushuluddin on Thursday, January 22, 2026, felt different from usual. It was not merely a meeting space, but a place filled with memories, prayers, and hopes. Here, the extended family of the Faculty of Ushuluddin gathered to bid farewell to and welcome the Head of Administrative Affairs—an occasion that was simple in form, yet rich in meaning.

The farewell and welcome ceremony brought together two phases of service: the farewell to Ahmad Sulhi, S.Ag., M.Kom., and the welcoming of Farida Andriani, S.E., M.M. The event was attended by the faculty leadership, heads and secretaries of study programs, as well as administrative staff who have worked side by side in the dynamics of academic services.

In his remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Prof. Ismatu Ropi, M.A., Ph.D., expressed his deep appreciation for Ahmad Sulhi’s dedication during his tenure. In a warm tone, the Dean emphasized that service does not end in one space or position, but continues wherever the trust and responsibility are entrusted. He also conveyed his hope that Ahmad Sulhi would remain active and contribute to the academic world until his retirement.

On the same occasion, the Dean officially welcomed Farida Andriani as the new Head of Administrative Affairs of the Faculty of Ushuluddin. The responsibilities ahead are not light, particularly in continuing the development of the new Faculty of Ushuluddin buildings planned at Campus 1 and Campus 2. Nevertheless, these challenges are believed to be manageable through cooperation and a strong collective spirit.

In his farewell speech, Ahmad Sulhi shared that the Faculty of Ushuluddin had become his second home. Although he originally came from the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, he felt warmly accepted as part of the Ushuluddin family. With humility, he offered his apologies for any shortcomings during his service and expressed his pride in having been part of the faculty’s journey.

Meanwhile, Farida Andriani expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her. She hopes to be accepted and to work together with all members of the academic community in a spirit of openness, communication, and collaboration. For her, input and dialogue are essential foundations for building better governance.

The atmosphere grew even warmer as impressions and messages were shared by representatives. Ahmad Yani, representing the administrative staff, reminded everyone that every meeting is inevitably accompanied by a farewell, yet each leaves behind valuable lessons and shared experiences. Salam added his hope that the bonds of silaturahmi would remain strong, even as workspaces change.

From the academic division, Wira Kurnia, M.A., recalled Ahmad Sulhi as a humorous and patient individual, particularly in supporting the smooth management of academic affairs. Prayers and words of gratitude were offered, along with apologies for any mistakes made during their time working together.

Representing the study programs, Muhamad Tamamul Iman, M.Phil., also shared stories of personal closeness that facilitated coordination, extending even to non-academic activities such as sports. For him, this sense of togetherness is the strength that underpins effective teamwork within the Faculty of Ushuluddin.

Closing the series of remarks, the Vice Dean II, Dr. Lilik Ummi Kaltsum, M.A., expressed the highest appreciation for Ahmad Sulhi’s service over approximately five years. She described this transition as a process of building “a new home”—both for Ahmad Sulhi in his new faculty and for Farida Andriani in strengthening governance at the Faculty of Ushuluddin—with communication and mutual trust as the key foundations.

This farewell and welcome event not only marked a change in position, but also reaffirmed that the Faculty of Ushuluddin is a space of service nurtured through silaturahmi, togetherness, and a shared commitment to continue moving forward together.

(Ishma/FU UIN Jakarta)