YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia — Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening teacher professionalism and welfare by extending employment social security coverage to graduates of its Teacher Professional Education Program, highlighting the university’s broader role in advancing madrasah-based education in Indonesia.

Through its Faculty of Education and Teacher Training (FITK), the university distributed 600 BPJS Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) cards to newly certified teachers during the PPG graduation ceremony held on January 29, 2026, at the Prof. Amin Abdullah Building on campus.

The initiative comes amid continued national discussion on teachers’ welfare and labor protection, positioning UIN Sunan Kalijaga as one of the few higher education institutions to integrate social security awareness into teacher professional development.

Dean of FITK Prof. Sigit Purnama said that social protection is an integral component of teacher professionalism.

“Professionalism should not be understood solely in terms of pedagogical or academic competence,” Prof. Sigit said. “It also includes the extent to which teachers are protected as professionals. Employment social security is a fundamental right and a key element of sustainable educational practice.”

He noted that the policy aligns with Indonesia’s National Social Security System, regulated under Law No. 40 of 2004, and the establishment of BPJS under Law No. 24 of 2011, reflecting FITK’s research-based approach to education and labor policy.

Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan emphasized the university’s long-term responsibility in supporting madrasah teachers across Indonesia.

“As a public Islamic university, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is committed to continuous engagement in enhancing the capacity and welfare of madrasah teachers, both in public and private institutions,” Prof. Noorhaidi said. “Through programs such as teacher professional education, student recruitment initiatives, and community engagement, we seek to strengthen a moderate, inclusive, and high-quality Islamic education ecosystem.”

He also underscored the importance of madrasahs as foundational institutions for human capital development.

“Madrasahs play a crucial role in shaping academically capable and ethically grounded generations,” he said. “We encourage madrasah graduates to pursue higher education, particularly at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, to ensure continuity in scholarship and the advancement of Islamic studies.”

The BPJS Employment initiative reflects UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s institutional approach to education—one that combines academic excellence with social responsibility, positioning teacher welfare as a central pillar of national education development.