Integrated academic services and institutional development were the focus of a benchmarking visit by the I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa State Hindu University (UHN) Denpasar to UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in the Meeting Room on the second floor of the PAU building. The meeting opened space for exchanging experience on university management, from graduation services and new student admissions to strengthening research and public communication.

The UHN I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa delegation was led by Head of the Bureau of Academic Administration, Student Affairs, and Cooperation Dr. I Nyoman Dayuh, S.Ag., M.Si., together with Head of the Academic Administration, Student Affairs, and Cooperation Services Section Eka Darmayanthi, S.H., M.H., and their team. The visit, titled "Study of Academic and Institutional Management," was received by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Institutional Development Prof. Dr. Istiningsih; Head of the General Administration and Planning Bureau (AUK) Dr. Ali Sodiq; and Head of the AAKK Bureau Dr. Muhammad Lutfi Hamid, along with related staff.

In a dialogue moderated by Head of the Academic Section Khorul Anwar, Prof. Istiningsih explained that university development rests on the involvement of every part of the campus. International recognition must be supported by academic and research activities that benefit society.

"The essence is research with impact," Prof. Istiningsih said while explaining how stronger academic activities support UIN Sunan Kalijaga's recognition in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR).

She said teaching, research, and community service are developed in a mutually connected way, with research as the driver that brings the three together. In classes, students are invited to recognize real problems in society, formulate research questions, and then discuss them in class.

This approach gives students room to learn the research process step by step while understanding the link between what they study and community needs. The dialogue also covered fast-track programs between degree levels and the readiness of human resources and facilities in developing fields of study.

AAKK Bureau Head Muhammad Lutfi Hamid highlighted local distinctiveness as a source for developing research. In his view, UHN I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa has scholarly capital and a social and cultural environment that can be developed into studies with wider reach.

The distinctiveness of Hindu teachings in Bali, local wisdom, and the life of its communities and tourism can become research relevant to the international academic community. Developing studies rooted in this environment also opens opportunities to strengthen the university's scholarly contribution.

The discussion then turned to services students feel directly. The UHN I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa delegation raised the problem of the gap between completing studies and the graduation ceremony, especially when graduates need academic documents to continue their education or for other purposes.

Meanwhile, AUK Bureau Head Dr. Ali Sodiq outlined the direction of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's development as part of strengthening the institution and widening the university's scholarly contribution.

The discussion continued on managing academic services. Novi Praci Putri, Entry-Level Computer Specialist in the Academic Section of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, explained that the services are integrated through an academic information system, with one account that students use from enrollment through graduation. The system supports each stage of completing studies, from final project registration and exam scheduling to the yudisium (formal graduation determination) and graduation registration.

At the yudisium stage, the faculty checks graduation requirements and enters the required data into the system. The next steps include processing the diploma number, printing documents at the university level, and completing authorization in coordination with the faculty.

Besides academic services, the delegation looked into admissions and new student recruitment. The UIN Sunan Kalijaga Admissions Team explained that it is managed by lecturers with additional duties and supporting staff, in coordination with university leaders and the relevant bureaus.

Student admissions run through national and independent tracks, with admission tracks also being developed for master's and doctoral programs. Admissions activities are also linked to promotion on social media and stronger partnerships to widen the reach of prospective students.

In public relations, the discussion covered the organization's position, division of tasks, and development of the functional position of public relations officer. UIN Sunan Kalijaga Junior Expert Public Relations Officer RTM. Maharani, MM explained the importance of detailed job mapping so that the institution's communication needs can be handled continuously.

"Public relations is the institution's front line," Maharani said.

She stressed that public relations work is dynamic, following developments in issues and institutional needs. For that reason, strengthening human resources and coordination with faculties and institutions is an important part of supporting the university's publications and communication.

At the end of the meeting, the UHN I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa delegation said that what it learned would inform governance development at its institution. Further communication is expected to deepen the exchange of information and open opportunities for cooperation.

The visit was a shared learning space for the two state religious universities in strengthening student services and institutional capacity. The practices UIN Sunan Kalijaga shared can be considered for development in line with each institution's needs and character. (humassk)