Religious Affairs Minister inaugurates construction of UIN Jakarta's Faculty of Ushuluddin building
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister (Menag), Nasaruddin Umar, inaugurated the construction of the new building for the Faculty of Ushuluddin at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, marked by the laying of the first stone for the building’s foundation.
Nasaruddin Umar emphasised that the Faculty of Ushuluddin at UIN Jakarta has a long history as the epicentre of Islamic studies in Indonesia. He mentioned the contributions of prominent figures, such as Prof Harun Nasution and Prof Quraish Shihab, who emerged from the faculty.
“The Faculty of Ushuluddin must once again become a reference point. We must not only be consumers of knowledge but producers in the development of Islamic ontology and epistemology,” the Minister stated in his remarks in Jakarta on Thursday.
Additionally, the naming also serves as a symbol of reinforcing the position of the Faculty of Ushuluddin at UIN Jakarta as a leading centre for Islamic studies in Indonesia and the world.
The Minister highlighted the importance of presenting distinctive Indonesian scholarly knowledge and encouraging the transformation of academic facilities based on technology.
According to him, the new faculty building must be equipped with an e-library, scientific discussion rooms, and facilities capable of building a productive academic ecosystem.
“The library is no longer just a space for books but a centre for digital knowledge access. Lecturers and researchers must be encouraged to actively present their works and research,” he said.
The construction of this building, he stated, is a response to the longstanding limitations in space and facilities faced by the Faculty of Ushuluddin. He hopes that the construction budget will sufficiently meet the financing needs.
Meanwhile, UIN Jakarta Rector Asep Saepudin Jahar affirmed that the faculty building construction aligns with the campus’s global achievements, now ranked 29th in the world in the field of religious studies according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
“This is a momentum to strengthen the integration of knowledge and improve the quality of study programmes. We are also preparing for transformation towards PTKN-BH,” he said.
Official data from the construction committee indicates that the building will be constructed at UIN Jakarta’s Campus II, with a land area of approximately 2,889.7 m² and a total building area of 4,554 m² consisting of seven floors. The project has fulfilled legal aspects and is supported by adequate basic infrastructure.
Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin at UIN Jakarta, Ismatu Ropi, hopes that the construction of this building will become a turning point in strengthening the tradition of excellent Islamic scholarship, while also affirming UIN Jakarta’s position at the global level.