Preparing graduates not only to enter the workforce but also to adapt and create opportunities amid industry change is one of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's commitments. Through Cendi UIN Sunan Kalijaga, that commitment is being put into practice in the Kalijaga Job Fair 2026, which brings together students, alumni, job seekers, and 28 partner companies from a range of fields over two days, October 22-23, 2026, at the Prof. Dr. Amin Abdullah Multi Purpose Building at UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

More than a place to find job listings, the Kalijaga Job Fair is a venue for building professional networks, understanding industry needs, and strengthening ties between the university and the business world. The event also affirms UIN Sunan Kalijaga's role in connecting graduates' competencies with an ever-changing job market.

The opening of the Kalijaga Job Fair 2026 on Thursday, October 22, 2026, was attended by the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Vice Rectors II and III, the Head and officers of Cendi UIN Sunan Kalijaga, deans and vice deans, the Head of the Sleman Regency Manpower and Transmigration Office, company representatives, and students, alumni, and job seekers.

Cendi UIN Sunan Kalijaga Head Noor Saif Muhammad Mussafi, Ph.D., thanked university leaders for supporting the Kalijaga Job Fair 2026. He also appreciated the participation of the 28 companies that have built partnerships with UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

In his view, the event is part of Cendi's effort to deliver real benefits to students and alumni, especially in accessing job information, finding recruitment opportunities, and developing their careers.

“We hope the partnerships we have built will continue to go well so that more UIN Sunan Kalijaga alumni find jobs,” he said.

The participation of companies from various fields is expected to widen career options for graduates and open lines of communication between job seekers and prospective employers. In this way, relationships formed at the job fair need not end with recruitment but can grow into lasting professional partnerships.

Vice Rector III of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Abdur Rozaki, also thanked all the companies taking part in the Kalijaga Job Fair 2026. In his view, their presence gives students and alumni a chance to learn what the workplace needs while building professional connections.

He hopes the event will bring benefits not only in worldly matters but also be an effort (ikhtiar) that brings blessings (keberkahan).

“We hope this Kalijaga Job Fair will bring benefits not only in worldly matters but also be an effort that brings blessings,” he said.

Appreciation was also expressed by the Head of the Sleman Regency Manpower and Transmigration Office, Dra. Epiphana Kristiyani, M.M. She stressed that expanding job opportunities requires collaboration among government, universities, and businesses.

Universities, she said, produce human resources with knowledge, competence, and skills. Businesses give a picture of workforce needs and open recruitment opportunities, while the government facilitates broader job opportunities, skills development, and labor market information.

“The Kalijaga Job Fair 2026 is a bridge that connects participants' competencies with the needs of the workplace,” she said.

Epiphana also noted that advances in digital technology, artificial intelligence, automation, and shifting industry needs require job seekers to keep building their capacity. Academic degrees must be matched by communication skills, creativity, discipline, integrity, teamwork, and a willingness to keep learning.

“Students and alumni need to prepare themselves not only to look for jobs, but also to compete, adapt, and add value for companies and society,” she explained.

On the occasion, she also shared information about the National Internship Program run by the Ministry of Manpower. The program, planned to last six months, is an option for students, alumni, and job seekers to gain experience and improve their competencies. Benefits mentioned include a stipend in line with regulations, an internship certificate, and the chance to be hired by the host company.

Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan officially opened the Kalijaga Job Fair 2026. He praised Cendi UIN Sunan Kalijaga for organizing the event and building cooperation with various companies as part of efforts to improve graduates' employability.

In his view, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and automation have changed the nature of work and created new demands for workforce competencies. For this reason, universities need to keep equipping students to meet these dynamics.

“In the end, we must stay committed, especially in equipping students with good thinking skills, communication skills, noble character (akhlak), integrity, honesty, and discipline. I believe these are the basic capital,” he said.

The Rector stressed that even as the skills the workplace requires change with the times, critical thinking, communication, integrity, discipline, and adaptability remain essential assets for graduates.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga therefore continues to prepare students by strengthening academic competencies and skills relevant to society's needs. Graduates are also expected not to aim only to be job seekers but to develop entrepreneurship and create jobs.

The Rector hopes the partnership among UIN Sunan Kalijaga, local government, and the business community will keep growing. This synergy is expected to contribute to better higher education, more job absorption, and stronger human resources on the road to Golden Indonesia 2045 (Indonesia Emas 2045).

Support for the Kalijaga Job Fair 2026 was also voiced by Ardhiles Rizky Ardhy, a representative of Teleperformance (TP) Indonesia. He praised UIN Sunan Kalijaga's initiative and hoped similar events would be held more regularly so that interaction among the university, alumni, and companies grows closer.

He urged students and alumni to see companies not merely as places to find job openings but as partners for building connections and developing a career over the long term.

“Companies are not just opening vacancies; they are also looking for partners to grow together,” he said.

In his view, the chance to meet companies face to face should be used to build communication, widen networks, and understand opportunities and needs in the workplace.

Through the Kalijaga Job Fair 2026, UIN Sunan Kalijaga strengthens its role as a link between higher education and industry needs. The presence of 28 partner companies over the two days is expected to open broader access to job information, recruitment opportunities, and professional networks for students, alumni, and job seekers.

This effort is part of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to offering higher education that is oriented not only toward academic achievement but also toward real impact on graduates' career readiness and human resource development. (humassk)