UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta once again demonstrated its role as a center for legal scholarship and national dialogue by hosting the “MA Goes to Campus Yogyakarta” event, held on Thursday (25/6/2026) at the Prof. Dr. H. M. Amin Abdullah Building, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The event brought together senior leaders of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia (Mahkamah Agung/MA), presiding judges from courts across the Special Region of Yogyakarta, academics, and approximately 500 students from six universities in DIY: UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, and Universitas Janabadra.

Initiated by the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of the Supreme Court's Administrative Affairs Agency in 2021, the program aims to bring the judiciary closer to the public, particularly academics and the younger generation. Through this forum, students have the opportunity to engage directly with judicial policymakers on a range of legal issues and the institutional transformations currently underway.

In his remarks, the Vice Rector for General Administration, Planning, and Finance of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Moch. Sodik, described the meeting between the Supreme Court and students as a form of "synergy of eminence" between a supreme state institution and the younger generation being prepared to become the leaders of tomorrow.

He noted that law students must go beyond mastering the normative and technical aspects of law they must also cultivate strong character, integrity, and spirituality. He likened students to “root people” (manusia akar): individuals with firm foundations who are capable of sustaining the life of the nation and state.

"Leaves, branches, and fruit may be beautiful and bring benefit, but none of them will grow without strong roots. Law students must become 'root people', people of integrity, character, and spirituality, as the foundation for building Indonesia," he said.

Prof. Sodik also emphasized the importance of shifting the paradigm from competition to collaboration. Future success, he argued, is no longer determined by the ability to compete individually, but by the capacity to work together and build networks in order to meet increasingly complex challenges.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga's strategic role in the event was acknowledged by the Supreme Court. The Head of Inter-Institutional Relations at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, Dewi Indriyani, S.Si., M.Si., explained that UIN Sunan Kalijaga was selected as the venue due to its strategic position and its capacity to serve as a representative meeting space for students from multiple universities.

"We want to build a closer relationship between the Supreme Court and the academic world. Students are agents of change and the generation that will fill key positions in the future, including within the judiciary," she said.

She added that the event forms part of the Supreme Court's broader effort to build a judicial institution that is increasingly open, transparent, and trusted by the public. Beyond disseminating the latest legal developments and policies, the forum also serves as a means of gathering aspirations and input from the academic community.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of the Supreme Court's Administrative Affairs Agency, Dr. Andi Julia Cakrawala, explained that the “MA Goes to Campus” program has reached universities across Indonesia and has consistently received positive responses from students.

One important focus introduced to participants, he noted, is the judiciary's ongoing digital transformation, a series of AI-based service innovations representing concrete steps toward delivering judicial services that are more effective, transparent, and accessible to the public.

"We want students not only to understand the functions of the Supreme Court, but also to actively contribute ideas for the future of Indonesia's judiciary. To that end, students need to master technology and language skills, while upholding good character and integrity," he said.

In the main session, participants gained insights into developments in national law, including a discussion of the latest Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) and the implementation of restorative justice in Indonesia, delivered directly by speakers from within the judiciary. The first presentation was given by the Chief Justice of the Yogyakarta High Court, Prof. Dr. H. Herri Swantoro, while the second was delivered by the Deputy Chief Justice of the Pandeglang District Court, Irwan Rosady, S.H., M.H. The discussions centered lAargely on judicial competence and jurisdiction, as well as emerging approaches to case resolution that better serve the interests of justice.

The Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Ali Shodiqin, assessed the event as fully aligned with the university's commitment to producing law graduates capable of meeting the needs of the judicial world. He noted that synergy between universities and the Supreme Court is essential for bridging theoretical learning in the classroom with the realities of legal practice in the field.

He explained that the information and developments shared by the Supreme Court provide valuable input for the faculty in aligning its curriculum. Students are also equipped with practical experience through internship program at various legal institutions, ensuring they possess the competencies required by both the professional world and the judiciary.

"Collaboration of this kind strengthens the connection between the campus and the world of practice. Students come to understand not only legal theory, but also the actual dynamics at work within the judicial system," he said.

Through "MA Goes to Campus", UIN Sunan Kalijaga served not merely as a host, but as a strategic bridge between the academic world and the judiciary. The event is hoped to broaden students' understanding of the national legal system, foster the emergence of future law enforcers of integrity, and strengthen public trust in Indonesia's judicial reform and transparency efforts.

For the wider public, this forum demonstrates the Supreme Court's commitment to engaging more closely with society through an educative and dialogic approach. For students, it represents a valuable opportunity to understand contemporary legal challenges, the digital transformation of the judiciary, and the strategic role of the younger generation in realizing a legal system that is just, transparent, and civilized. (humassk)