Madura, FU Online News — The Faculty of Ushuluddin, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta, continues to strengthen its commitment to community engagement and human resource development in the regions. Through a series of activities held in Madura, covering Pamekasan and Sumenep, the Faculty organized an intensive program featuring training sessions and study program promotion on October 28–30, 2025.

The Faculty delegation consisted of Dr. Fardiana Fikria Qur’Any, M.Ud. (Secretary of the Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy Study Program), Wasil, S.Th.I., M.Ag. (Secretary of the Study of Religions Study Program), Bahriyadi, S.Ag., M.Ag. (Lecturer of the Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy Study Program), Muria Khusnun Nisa, M.Ag. (Lecturer of the Study of Religions Study Program), Gusmat Setiawan Noorsya, S.Psi. (Educational Staff), and Farid Indria Mubarok, S.E. (Educational Staff).

The activities focused on strengthening the capacity of Islamic boarding school students (santri) through two main themes: “Critical Thinking Training” and “Ecology and Youth: Santri as Agents of Environmental Preservation.” These sessions were designed to equip students with analytical skills and a deeper awareness of environmental sustainability issues while emphasizing the vital role of pesantren in social and ecological development.

The training and study program promotion were conducted at several pesantren in Madura, including Pondok Pesantren Mambaul Ulum II, MA Puteri Mambaul Ulum I Bata-Bata, and MA Nurul Jadid in Pamekasan, as well as MA An Nuqayyah in Sumenep.

In addition to the training sessions, the Faculty of Ushuluddin introduced two study programs with promising career prospects and strong academic relevance:

1. Study of Religions (SAA): Designed to prepare graduates to become interfaith mediators, researchers of global issues, and experts in conflict resolution—roles increasingly needed in today’s plural society.

2. Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy (AFI): Aims to cultivate philosophical, logical, and analytical thinking skills essential for careers in academia, research, writing, and public policy.

“The Critical Thinking Training we conducted reflects the curriculum of the Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy program. We want students to realize early on that Islamic studies must be grounded in clear reasoning and philosophical insight to respond to contemporary ideological challenges. AFI graduates are prepared to become critical and deeply rooted intellectuals,” said Dr. Fardiana Fikria Qur’Any, M.Ud., Secretary of the Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy Study Program.

Meanwhile, Wasil, M.Ag., Secretary of the Study of Religions Study Program, emphasized the importance of introducing SAA to the pesantren community.
“We are very enthusiastic about introducing the Study of Religions program to students in Madura. This program offers broad career opportunities in research institutions, NGOs, and diplomacy. We hope these young students will be inspired to continue their studies at the Faculty of Ushuluddin and contribute to building intercultural dialogue and peace,” he stated.

Through this initiative, the Faculty of Ushuluddin aims to:

1. Increase students’ interest in pursuing higher education at the SAA and AFI programs of UIN Jakarta.

2. Encourage collaboration between pesantren education and Islamic higher education in addressing contemporary social and ecological issues.

As one of the oldest and leading faculties at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, the Faculty of Ushuluddin remains committed to advancing fundamental and philosophical studies in Islam. The Faculty strives to produce graduates with moral integrity, intellectual excellence, and social awareness, grounded in a moderate and inclusive Islamic worldview.

(Writer: Fardiana Fikria Qur'any | Editor: Ishmatun Nisa | Photo: Ushuluddin Faculty)