Islamic State University Crisis: Will UIN Jakarta Stand Its Ground?
Murodi, Arief Subhan, and Rizal LK Research
Several recent incidents that have compromised the reputation of Islamic universities have elicited public apprehension—a college named after Islam should embody knowledge and ethics, shouldn't it?
The pertinent question then is, "What is the status of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, frequently regarded as the benchmark for Islamic universities in Indonesia?"
UIN Jakarta occupies a distinguished status as one of the oldest and largest Islamic universities in Indonesia. This campus has produced numerous national officials, scholars, professors, and intellectuals who have influenced the nation's trajectory. UIN Jakarta is also recognized for its own intellectual legacy, sometimes termed the Ciputat School, which prioritizes moderate critique for the revitalization of Islamic thinking.
As a result, the public aspires for UIN Jakarta to exemplify an exceptional model, not only for PTKIN but also for higher education throughout Indonesia—a bar that is set too high perhaps.
Nonetheless, a distinguished reputation does not imply an absence of obstacles. The vulnerability of UIN Jakarta is perhaps more intricate due to its substantial size and extensive effect, given the thousands of students from varied social, economic, and cultural backgrounds, which are all centered in Ciputat.
Some students experience economic strain, while others contend with the appeal of Jakarta's money-spending city, which then leads to a scenario where moral deviation will become more appealing.
Lecturers and academic staff face administrative demands, academic competition, and welfare issues every day. This encumbrance may divert focus from value creation to mundane procedural tasks. Should that occur, the function of lecturers as ethical exemplars may gradually diminish.
UIN Jakarta, in fact, possesses a robust basis that distinguishes it from numerous other institutions as a well-established intellectual culture for decades. The customs of academic dialogue, receptiveness to contemporary ideas, and engagement in national discourse are legacies of UIN Jakarta that deserve to be maintained.
With this capital, UIN Jakarta possesses a significant possibility to safeguard itself from the moral crises afflicting other campuses, as long as it does not allow that heritage to perish, consumed by bureaucratization.
Will UIN Jakarta be the next to fall? Well, if we take a look at the cases in UIN Makassar (money laundering) and UIN Riau (adultery), we should take it as a preliminary alert.
We can't let UIN Jakarta become comfortable regarding its reputation and historical significance. The designation of Islamic university entails a greater obligation than other institutions since UIN Jakarta is anticipated to cultivate graduates who are both knowledgeable and responsible for their actions.
Essential measures to be implemented encompass enhancing internal monitoring, establishing a comprehensive student mentorship system, prioritizing teacher well-being, and sustaining a vibrant intellectual atmosphere.
Not only that, UIN Jakarta must guarantee that Islamic ideals transcend mere symbols or slogans and are really integrated into everyday campus life. Consequently, UIN Jakarta may demonstrate its significance not only in numerical strength but also in moral and spiritual integrity.
Otherwise, UIN Jakarta still has the same chance to transform into an institution that seems contemporary and esteemed yet forfeits the essence of Islam. Having said that, UIN Jakarta is at a pivotal juncture between a paradigm for other Islamic institutions and another entry in the extensive catalog of catastrophes that have marred the reputation of Islamic universities.
We will find towards that inquiry in the future, and it will be significantly influenced by the decisions and actions we undertake today.
(The three authors serve as lecturers at the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)