Integration-Interconnection of Knowledge has long been part of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's identity. Yet amid technological change and increasingly complex societal challenges, that identity needs to work harder. Knowledge must meet real-world problems, research must be put to use in finding solutions, and innovation must be guided by humanitarian values.

This was one of the core themes of the scholarly address delivered by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, at the Open Senate Session marking the university's 75th Anniversary (Dies Natalis), held Monday (9/28/2026) at the Multipurpose Building, UIN Sunan Kalijaga. The session was opened by University Senate Chair Prof. Kamsi and attended by hundreds of lecturers, staff, and university partners.

Prof. Noorhaidi reminded the audience that for decades, UIN Sunan Kalijaga has built a tradition of bringing together Islamic sciences with the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, technology, and other fields of knowledge. This convergence stems from the view that knowledge cannot develop in isolation, separate from other disciplines or from the life of society.

According to him, the changes brought by artificial intelligence only reinforce the relevance of this tradition. The future of higher education need not be seen as a choice between the humanities and technology, religion and science, or between education that broadens ways of thinking and education that prepares students with job-ready skills.

“We need technology, but technology guided by values. We need professional competence, but competence built on critical thinking. We need innovation, but innovation that considers justice and sustainability. We need graduates ready to work, but also ready to rethink the world of work and the society they are entering.”

From this line of thinking, Prof. Noorhaidi introduced the concept of intelligent professionalism: professionalism grounded in broad knowledge, deep critical thinking, technological skill, creativity, and ethical awareness. A teacher, for instance, may use AI to develop teaching materials, but must still understand how students learn, grow, and build character.

Similar examples apply to an economist who needs to consider the impact of decisions on social welfare and justice; a religious scholar who brings religious values to bear on society's problems; and a leader who weighs the ethical responsibility behind every decision. For Prof. Noorhaidi, it is precisely there that Integration-Interconnection education finds its true expression, within professions and service to society.

On the same occasion, the Rector also described how knowledge developed by the university can move toward real benefit. The chain he proposed runs from knowledge to innovation, from innovation to application, from application to impact. The Rector added one further, decisive goal: from impact to human flourishing, impact that helps people and their lives thrive.

For this reason, Prof. Noorhaidi called on UIN Sunan Kalijaga to measure success by the change brought about through its presence. Publications, rankings, and graduate numbers remain part of academic achievement. But the university also needs to look at who benefits from its knowledge, what problems it has helped resolve, and what kind of future it is helping to build.

In his view, UIN Sunan Kalijaga can grow into a knowledge hub that brings together religion, science, technology, society, industry, public policy, and the international community. The university can develop AI while also considering AI ethics; produce technology while paying attention to social justice; and advance the economy with awareness of environmental sustainability.

“This is the relevance of Integration-Interconnection of Knowledge in the 21st century. Integration-Interconnection must not remain merely an academic paradigm. It must become a transformative paradigm,” he said.

At 75 years old, UIN Sunan Kalijaga now holds a history, a scholarly tradition, human resources, networks, and global recognition that serve as capital for its next stage. "History gives us legitimacy. Tradition gives us identity. Academic excellence gives us credibility. What we must build next is impact. For that reason, I want to invite the entire UIN Sunan Kalijaga academic community to envision a new stage in our university's journey: From Academic Excellence to Global Impact," he said.

Through this address, the Rector positioned Integration-Interconnection as UIN Sunan Kalijaga's answer to the major questions facing higher education today. Ultimately, the path toward global impact grows out of the strength UIN Sunan Kalijaga has already built. Academic excellence serves as the foundation for making knowledge more present in everyday life. Technology is developed with attention to humanity, ethics, and the common good. With its own distinct scholarly identity, UIN Sunan Kalijaga moves forward, carrying a contribution whose benefits can be felt far beyond the campus. (humassk)