Yogyakarta, September 8, 2025 — The Graduate School of UIN Sunan Kalijaga began its academic year with a striking reminder: postgraduate education must serve as the locomotive of knowledge, not a passenger in the nation’s academic journey.

At the orientation for master’s and doctoral students, Director Prof. Moch. Nur Ichwan highlighted the importance of research that impacts society. “We aim to produce scholars who respond to global challenges, not just master theories,” he said.

The call was sharpened by Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, who warned against complacency. Starting 2025/2026, doctoral students will join thematic research clusters led by professors, mirroring European PhD systems. “Graduate studies must be full-time and rigorous. Without that, we betray our legacy,” he stressed.

Noorhaidi also sounded an alarm over poor foreign-language skills among students, calling it a systemic failure that threatens Indonesia’s global competitiveness. “How can Generation Z struggle with English? Without it, we are sidelined,” he warned.

Closing his address, he reminded students that the Graduate School has long produced leaders across Islamic universities. “Empowering Knowledge, Shaping the Future,” he said. “We cannot afford to be spectators in the face of global change.” (humassk)