UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has reinforced its commitment to implementing the tridharma (three pillars) of higher education by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Blora Regency Government. The five-year partnership (2026–2031) opens opportunities for collaboration in human resource development, education, research, community service, and regional development innovation.

The MoU signing took place in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room of the Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Building (PAU) on the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta campus and was attended directly by the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Also present were the Vice Rectors, deans, bureau heads, the director of the graduate school, heads of institutes and units, professors, and lecturers representing various faculties. Representing the Blora Regency Government were Regent of Blora Dr. H. Arief Rohman, Deputy Regent Hj. Sri Setyorini, Regional Secretary Dasiran, S.Ag., M.Si., and heads of regional government agencies.

In his remarks, Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan stated that the partnership is more than the signing of a document; it marks an initial step toward delivering the university's real contribution to addressing regional development challenges through the strength of education, research, and community service.

The Rector explained that the partnership builds on a long-standing relationship, previously reinforced through the efforts of Prof. Dr. Hj. Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, M.A., Indonesia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan, concurrently accredited to the Kyrgyz Republic. He also praised Blora as a region rich in natural resources, history, and culture that has long drawn academic interest.

According to the Rector, Blora is no stranger to UIN Sunan Kalijaga's academic community. Numerous student research projects, particularly theses and dissertations, have examined the Samin Movement as a subject of scholarly study. The partnership is therefore expected to serve as a bridge for expanding the application of academic work to regional development.

“We hope this partnership brings benefit and blessing to both parties, while also strengthening UIN Sunan Kalijaga's contribution to the development of Blora Regency and opening more opportunities for young people from Blora to pursue their education at UIN Sunan Kalijaga,” the Rector said.

The Rector added that, following the signing of the MoU, follow-up programs will soon be developed in the form of Cooperation Agreements (PKS), including joint research on regional policy, the implementation of the Community Service Program (KKN), community mentoring, and the development of various education and capacity-building programs for both government officials and the public.

On this occasion, the Rector also outlined the range of academic strengths UIN Sunan Kalijaga brings to the partnership with the Blora Regency Government.

The Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, for example, is ready to support improvements in education quality through teacher training, curriculum development, and innovation in teaching methods. The Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences and Humanities operates an Applied Psychology Center with experience conducting leadership assessments for various government agencies at the national level.

In science and technology, UIN Sunan Kalijaga has produced a range of applied research outcomes and innovation prototypes with potential applications in supporting regional agriculture and industry. The Faculty of Sharia and Law, meanwhile, can contribute through training in human rights, legal awareness, and mediation, while the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication brings expertise in community empowerment and social welfare.

Further contributions come from the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences, through manuscript studies, history, and cultural preservation, and the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, which offers strengthened religious moderation and Islamic studies relevant to the character of Blora's community. The university's Graduate School, which has produced more than 1,500 doctoral graduates, further adds to UIN Sunan Kalijaga's academic strength in supporting research-based regional development.

Beyond its faculties, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta also offers a number of centers of excellence with established national and international track records. The Center for Gender Studies is positioned to support the implementation of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles, while the Disability Services Center serves as a national reference point for developing inclusive public services.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is also home to a Halal Center and Halal Inspection Agency that actively assist small and medium enterprises (UMKM) in obtaining halal certification and have been entrusted with international partnerships. In the area of workforce competency development, the university operates a Professional Certification Institute (LSP), while digital transformation initiatives can draw on the expertise of faculty and researchers from the Informatics Engineering study program.

The Rector emphasized that, in principle, every faculty and unit within UIN Sunan Kalijaga holds potential for collaboration aligned with Blora Regency's development needs. Following the signing of the MoU, each collaborative opportunity will be mapped out and followed up through more specific programs.

Regent of Blora Dr. H. Arief Rohman welcomed the partnership, noting that regional development cannot rely on infrastructure alone but also requires improving the quality of human resources through synergy with higher education institutions.

He explained that Blora holds a range of strategic potential, from oil and gas to the teak wood industry, agriculture, and livestock farming. However, challenges such as poverty and stunting still require support from various parties, including the academic community.

The Regent expressed hope that research conducted by UIN Sunan Kalijaga could serve as a basis for shaping regional policy while also driving innovations capable of improving community welfare.

The Blora Regency Government also invited UIN Sunan Kalijaga to join the One Village One University (Desa Dampingan) program, which currently involves 22 universities. In addition, the Regency Government expressed hope that UIN Sunan Kalijaga students could carry out their Community Service Program (KKN) in Blora Regency as a form of community engagement.

As a shared commitment, the five areas of cooperation agreed upon include: improving the quality of human resources in Blora Regency; carrying out education, research, and community service; developing regional resource potential; strengthening student entrepreneurship and professional skills; and supporting local governance, development, and community affairs.

Through this partnership, UIN Sunan Kalijaga reaffirms its role as a university that not only produces quality graduates and research but also delivers academic solutions with direct impact on regional development and community welfare. (humassk)