UIN Jakarta Rector emphasises crucial role of lecturers in producing capable students

UIN Jakarta’s rector, Prof Asep Saepudin Jahar, has emphasised the crucial role of lecturers in shaping a new generation capable of addressing contemporary challenges. He stated that the quality of graduates depends not only on course material but also on the character and dedication of educators.

Speaking at the opening of a lecturer capacity-building programme at UIN Jakarta, Prof Asep urged lecturers to “love UIN by loving the teaching process until retirement. A lecturer who cherishes teaching will produce students who hunger for truth.”

He noted that higher education faces significant challenges from social, technological, and rapidly changing labour market demands. Therefore, universities must produce graduates who are not only academically excellent but also adaptable, creative, and strong in character.

Prof A emphasised that educational success depends on how lecturers inspire and shape students’ thinking, not just the content taught. “Teaching methods are more important than the material, and the educator is more important than the teaching method,” he stated.

He also criticised current higher education assessment systems for focusing solely on cognitive aspects, calling for changes to accommodate cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. “Assessment must evolve to measure more than just exam grades,” he said.

Prof A stressed that modern students must be equipped with ethics, teamwork, leadership, and social sensitivity, alongside academic knowledge. He highlighted that improving lecturer capacity is a strategic step to make campus learning relevant to current needs and student-centred.

“Great lecturers produce graduates who can tackle the challenges of their time,” he concluded.

Through the programme, UIN Jakarta reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening high-quality, globally competitive higher education while preserving Islamic, academic, and humanitarian values.