Bandung, FU Online News — In an effort to strengthen academic synergy and scholarly development in the fields of Sufism and Psychotherapy, the Sufism Study Program of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, conducted a benchmarking visit to the Sufism and Psychotherapy Study Program of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, on Thursday (November 6, 2025).

The delegation from UIN Jakarta, consisting of 52 fifth-semester students and accompanying lecturers, was led by Dr. Yuminah R., MBA, MA, Si., as head of the delegation, together with Abd. Manaf, M.Ag. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the leadership of the Faculty of Ushuluddin UIN Bandung, including Vice Dean I Dr. Ecep Ismail, M.Ag., Vice Dean II Dr. Muhlas, M.Hum., Vice Dean III Dr. Juli Ahmad Hambali, M.Hum., Head of the Sufism and Psychotherapy Study Program Dr. Cucu Setiawan, M.Ag., Secretary of the Study Program Dr. Dian Siti Nurjanah, M.Ag., and Head of the Syifaul Qulub Laboratory Firman Rismanto, M.Psi.

Dr. Yuminah stated that this activity was part of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta’s commitment to strengthening cooperation networks among state Islamic universities, particularly in developing an integrative curriculum in the field of Sufism and Psychotherapy.

“We aim to learn directly from the best practices developed by UIN Bandung, while also opening opportunities for research collaboration, student exchange, and the development of Sufism and Psychotherapy laboratories. We believe this collaboration will bring significant benefits to both institutions,” said Dr. Yuminah.

The benchmarking activities included academic discussions, the exchange of experiences in curriculum management, and a direct visit to the Syifaul Qulub Laboratory, one of the flagship laboratories of the Faculty of Ushuluddin UIN Bandung, which focuses on the practice and research of Sufism-based spiritual therapy.

On the same occasion, Dr. Ecep Ismail, M.Ag., Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Ushuluddin UIN Bandung, expressed his appreciation for UIN Jakarta’s initiatives in fostering academic collaboration. He emphasized the importance of building synergy among Faculties of Ushuluddin across Indonesia as a tangible contribution to the advancement of Islamic scholarship.

“We share the same spirit in developing Sufism, not only as a spiritual discipline, but also as a scientific and applicable form of psychological therapy,” Dr. Ecep remarked.

The discussion session further enriched the participants’ insights. Dr. Cucu Setiawan, M.Ag., Head of the Sufism and Psychotherapy Study Program at UIN Bandung, expressed his readiness to realize various forms of academic cooperation, including collaborative research, exchange of laboratory experiences, and human resource development.

“We see that the Sufism Study Program at UIN Jakarta has great potential. We are ready to synergize in the development of facilities, human resources, and research activities,” said Dr. Cucu.

The activity concluded with the exchange of souvenirs as a symbol of academic friendship between the two institutions, followed by a group photo session and a tour of the laboratory facilities.

Through this benchmarking activity, it is hoped that a sustainable partnership will be established between UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung in the development of Sufism and Psychotherapy. This collaboration is expected to generate innovations in spiritually based learning that are scientific in nature and contribute to the development of Islamic scholarship as rahmatan lil ‘alamin.

(Author: Fahmiansyah | Editor: Ishmatun Nisa | Photo: Sufism Study Program)