A university's progress rests on the service of many people, from the pioneers of its scholarship to those who care for the campus every day. It is this appreciation for their contributions that Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta carried into its anjangsana (courtesy visits) held in conjunction with the 75th Dies Natalis.

The visits reached senior figures, retired faculty and staff, families of those who have passed away, and even cleaning staff. DWP also called on members of the university's extended family who are recovering from illness, to offer their concern, prayers, and gifts.

The delegation was sent off in person by Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, accompanied by Vice Rector for General Administration, Planning, and Finance Prof. Mochamad Sodik and Head of the Bureau of Academic Administration, Student Affairs, and Cooperation Prof. Muhammad Lutfi Hamid.

Prof. Noorhaidi stressed that the visits are part of the university's responsibility to nurture its relationships with those who came before. Their service is the foundation for the development of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, carried on by the generations that follow.

"We are carrying out one important mission: anjangsana, visiting in the spirit of silaturahmi (fellowship) and presenting a small tali asih (token of appreciation) to our elders, our parents, and our teachers who gave their very best service," he said.

According to the Rector, sustaining the university's continuity also means listening to the experiences of retirees who served before us, and asking for their prayers and blessings. The progress UIN Sunan Kalijaga has made, including its second-place national ranking in the THE WUR 2027, is the result of collective work built over time.

"Through anjangsana, we can share feelings and ideas, and greet them so that we can move forward with steadfast spirit in advancing UIN Sunan Kalijaga," he said.

On the same occasion, DWP UIN Sunan Kalijaga Chair Prof. Euis Nurlaelawati expressed hope that the visits would be an opportunity to bring good news about the university, offer support to those who are ill, and strengthen ties with retirees and their families.

The DWP delegation was divided into five teams to reach a number of residences. The team led by the DWP Chair visited Prof. Amin Abdullah, a two-term rector who played an important role in the transformation of IAIN into UIN Sunan Kalijaga; Prof. Syihabuddin, a former Dean of the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences; and the family of the late Dr. Fakhri Husein, a former Head of the Quality Assurance Institute, along with several other members of the extended UIN Sunan Kalijaga family.

The team of Ibu Ida Sodik visited Dr. Malik Madani, a former Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law, and the family of the late Dr. Sulistyaningsih, who served as Vice Dean I and III of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with other extended family. Meanwhile, the team of Ibu Sulastri Rozaki visited Ibu Yusron Asrofie and several other figures. The team of Ibu Dinna Misnen visited the family of the late Prof. Minhaji, a former Rector and former Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, as well as the family of Prof. Hamim Ilyas and other figures.

In the meeting with the DWP visiting team, Prof. Amin Abdullah expressed hope that the visit would bring benefit and keep the bonds of silaturahmi strong with the campus's extended family. Prof. Amin also praised the development of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, which he said shows a leap forward. He said he keeps up with news of the university through the UIN extended family communication group. That closeness is part of his continued support for the development of the campus he once led.

A message about valuing every form of service also came up in the meeting with Dr. Malik Madani.

"We need to pay attention to every employee, whatever their role. We must not look only upward and forget those below. Success is not always determined by those at the top," he said.

Dr. Malik reminded everyone of the importance of caring for those who work in the campus's daily life. The contributions of everyone, including those who rarely receive attention, help sustain an institution's success.

"I can only pray that UIN will continue to grow and bring benefit to society, the nation, and the state, in spreading knowledge to all layers of society," he said.

Meanwhile, at the residence of the late Fakhri Husein's family, the conversation turned back to his contribution to strengthening the university's quality. Prof. Euis recalled Dr. Fakhri as one of the people who made important contributions to the international accreditation of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's study programs.

Responding to this, the late Dr. Fakhri's wife, her eyes glistening with tears, recalled her husband's pride in being part of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. That bond endured to the end of his life, when funeral prayers were held for him at the campus mosque.

The visits to these various residences brought together experiences, memories, and hopes for the university's future. For those visited, DWP's presence is a sign that their relationship with the campus continues to be cherished. For UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the prayers and counsel of its retirees, with their countless acts of service and dedication, strengthen the university's resolve to continue serving and to widen the benefits of knowledge for society. (humassk)