Central Java Provincial Government and Six UIN Campuses Synergise to Tackle Poverty
Semarang (ANTARA) - The Central Java Provincial Government is strengthening its cooperation with six State Islamic Universities (Uint) in the region through various programmes, ranging from poverty alleviation to halal certification.
“We are ready to support the Governor’s programmes, and we want any programme within the provincial government to involve UIN in Central Java,” said the Chairman of the Forum of UIN Rectors in Central Java, Zaenal Mustakim, during an audience with the Governor of Central Java in Semarang on Wednesday.
The Rector of UIN KH Abburahman Wahid Pekalongan stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Central Java Provincial Government and the six UINs has been in place for a long time.
The meeting discussed follow-up actions for this cooperation, as well as strengthening the synergy between higher education institutions and the provincial government to drive various community welfare programmes. These include community service programmes such as thematic Student Community Service (KKN) in areas with extreme poverty, human resource capacity building, halal certification, as well as vocational education and waste management.
“Our field of study is Islamic studies, so religious literacy is one of our main focuses. We also have community empowerment programmes for the economy and MSMEs, as well as matters regarding halal certification,” he said.
Regarding halal certification specifically, he noted that technical details would be followed up with the relevant departments.
Furthermore, within the future development roadmap for Central Java, there is an emphasis on increasing tourism and the economy, which includes the development of Muslim-friendly tourism and similar initiatives.
Also in attendance were the Rector of UIN Walisongo Musahadi, the Rector of UIN Raden Mas Sahid Surakarta Toto Suharto, the Rector of UIN Sunan Kudus Abdurahman Kasdi, as well as Vice Rector 1 of UIN Salatiga Miftahudin and Vice Rector 3 of UIN Saizu Purwokerto Sunhaji.
Each UIN representative presented several flagship programmes that have the potential for collaboration with the Central Java Provincial Government and district/city governments.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, requested the UIN representatives in Central Java to follow up on several excellent programmes through coordination with the relevant departments.
He highlighted the waste management and vocational education programmes presented by the university representatives.
“Vocational training is important; please coordinate directly with the Central Java Manpower Office to ensure absorption into industrial or corporate needs,” he said.
He added that thematic KKN directed towards areas with extreme poverty is already underway with several campuses.
“The point is that every activity must be result-oriented, namely the welfare of the community. There must be an evaluation later,” he concluded.