Expanding its global network while ensuring that graduates have competencies relevant to the needs of the workforce is one of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's commitments in developing higher education. The university put that commitment into practice by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JANZZ Technology of Switzerland on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The partnership is a strategic step toward strengthening international collaboration in education, research, human resource development, and the competitiveness of graduates in the global job market.

The MoU signing was attended by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan and JANZZ Technology representative Stephen Winzenried. Also present were several faculty leaders: Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) Prof. Dr. H. Robby Habiba Abror, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI) Prof. Dr. Misnen Ardiansyah, Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Ir. Muhammad Taufiq Nuruzzaman, Ph.D., Vice Dean III of FEBI Dr. Ibi Satibi, and Head of the International Office Dr. Witriani.

This collaboration reflects both institutions' commitment to building an international partnership focused on improving the quality of higher education, developing collaborative research, and strengthening the relevance of graduates' competencies to the evolving needs of the workforce.

One of the main focuses of the partnership is the implementation of the JANZZ.jobs Platform, which is designed to support the development of a talent pipeline by connecting university graduates with job opportunities that match their competencies and the needs of the labor market. Through the platform, UIN Sunan Kalijaga students and graduates are expected to gain broader access to career information and opportunities, including internships and professional training programs.

In addition to developing an employment platform, the MoU covers seven areas of strategic collaboration: (1) talent and career development for graduates, through mapping and matching graduates' competencies with the needs of industry and the job market, including opening up internship and training opportunities; (2) collaborative research, which gives faculty members and researchers at both institutions the opportunity to develop joint research; (3) international academic activities, through guest lectures, conferences, seminars, and symposiums held jointly; (4) exchange of experts and faculty, to strengthen academic capacity and institutional development; (5) exchange of information and academic materials, as an effort to broaden perspectives and access to international sources of knowledge; (6) monitoring of students' academic progress and tracer studies, to support oversight of the learning process while gathering information on graduates' career development and employment outcomes; and (7) development of an industry-oriented curriculum, so that the competencies students acquire become increasingly relevant to the dynamics and demands of the workplace.

Through this partnership, UIN Sunan Kalijaga seeks to strengthen the connection between academia and industry. The collaboration is expected not only to expand students' and graduates' opportunities to access international career paths, but also to encourage research development, knowledge exchange, and higher education innovation that adapts to technological developments and the needs of the global labor market.

The signing of this MoU is the first step toward developing a range of concrete cooperation programs. Implementation will be followed up through joint implementation agreements, based on the needs and mutual agreement of both parties.

The partnership with JANZZ Technology of Switzerland further strengthens UIN Sunan Kalijaga's efforts to build a globally minded university. Through expanded international collaboration that is integrated with academic development and the needs of the workforce, UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues to strive to deliver excellent, adaptive higher education that produces competent graduates who are competitive internationally. (humassk)