UMJ's Islamic Communication Programme Reviews Curriculum to Boost Graduate Competitiveness

The Islamic Communication and Broadcasting (KPI) programme of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta (FAI UMJ) held a hybrid Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on curriculum review on Friday (12/06/2026).

Dean of FAI UMJ, Prof. Dr. Sopa, emphasised that the curriculum review is not merely to comply with higher education regulations, but also an effort to respond to the continuously evolving needs of the job market. “The curriculum must be able to integrate Islamic literacy with industry needs while maintaining the values of Progressive Islam as the main foundation in the learning process,” he said.

Head of the KPI FAI UMJ Programme, Muhammad Choirin, expressed pride in the FGD, which involved various parties, from academics and practitioners to industry partners. According to him, the presence of the speakers demonstrated attention and support for the development of the KPI FAI UMJ programme.

“This activity is not just an academic formality. It is our commitment to continuously improve, so that the KPI FAI UMJ programme can truly produce Islamic communication professionals who are not only spiritually pious but also professionally capable and ready to face the challenges of the digital era,” Choirin said.

The main session began with a presentation from the Chairman of the Association of Islamic Communication and Broadcasting Programmes (Askopis), Mohammad Zamroni. He explained the body of knowledge and scientific identity of the KPI programme within the landscape of communication science, which serves as the basis for determining the direction of curriculum development.

Vice Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Civilisation at UMY, Twediana Budi Hapsari, presented the stages and process of systematic curriculum review. She assessed that tracer studies play an important role in every curriculum renewal process because they provide an overview of the suitability of graduate competencies with the needs of the job market.

Vice Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Library and Information Council and Founder of Drone Emprit, Ismail Fahmi, conveyed the major changes occurring in the media industry due to digital technology transformation. He highlighted the importance of KPI students’ ability to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) as an adaptive and relevant da’wah tool in line with the times.

An industry perspective was also provided by the Head of the Public Communication Bureau of the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) RI, Ndari Rumi Widyawati. She explained that the KPI FAI UMJ programme has become a strategic partner of BAZNAS in preaching the sharia of zakat to the wider community.

“A number of KPI FAI UMJ alumni have joined as amil at BAZNAS. This proves that the competencies of graduates from this programme are relevant and needed,” she said.

Further input came from media practitioner and Director of TV Muhammadiyah, Makroen Sanjaya. He assessed that technical ability, communication skills, and teamwork are important aspects that students must possess to compete in the media world.

The FGD also featured two alumni of the KPI FAI UMJ programme, Fathi Ihsan and Sintia Nur Cahyani. Both provided testimonials and input based on their experiences in the workplace, serving as evaluation material for developing a curriculum more suited to professional needs.