UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta held a public consultation on the planned construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication (FDK) and the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought (FUPI) to the parking area north of the Student Center building. The session was held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, on the 2nd floor of the Saifuddin Zuhri Building, as part of the university's effort to keep nearby residents informed about the planned infrastructure project.

The consultation was attended by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, the university's deans, bureau heads, department heads, and relevant education staff. Also in attendance were representatives from the Yogyakarta Special Region's Water Resources Agency (Dinas SDA), the head of Sapen's RW 01, the heads of Sapen's RT 01 and RT 19, and the chair and members of the Water User Farmers Association (P3A).

In his remarks, Rector Prof. Noorhaidi explained that the bridge is part of the university's effort to improve the comfort and safety of access for its academic community. The bridge will be built over the Ngebrug Irrigation Canal without disrupting its function, since its construction will span above the flow of the canal.

According to the Rector, the plan has been in preparation for some time, in line with the growing number of students and study programs at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. This growth has created the need for more adequate parking space to allow academic activities to run more smoothly.

“Until now, students from the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought as well as the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication have been parking their vehicles along the road leading to the library. This has often disrupted the flow of traffic around campus. That is why we are requesting the community's permission and blessing so that this construction can proceed smoothly,” the Rector said.

He added that motorcycle parking will eventually be consolidated in the area north of the Student Center building, with greater capacity than before. From there, students will be able to cross the bridge to reach the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, the Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, and the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business.

Meanwhile, Head of the Bureau of General Administration, Planning, and Finance (AUK), Dr. Ali Sodiq, confirmed that the bridge being built will serve pedestrians only. He added that the construction will not alter the position or function of the surrounding infrastructure.

“This bridge will only serve as a pedestrian walkway. There will be no changes to the irrigation canal or the surrounding environment. The parking area currently occupying the roadside will be relocated to the east, with a capacity of around 200 motorcycles,” he explained.

Through this public consultation, UIN Sunan Kalijaga hopes local residents will understand the purpose of the bridge as part of broader campus area planning. Beyond improving the comfort and safety of student access, the project is also expected to reduce roadside parking congestion, creating a more orderly, safe, and comfortable environment for all road users and nearby residents alike. (humassk)