Indonesia
Malang, October 12, 2024 – UNISMA elevated this year’s Freshman Campus Orientation Program (OSHIKA MABA) by hosting Prof. Sangkot Sirait, Professor of Islamic Religious Education at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, who delivered a Studium Generale for incoming students. The program introduces new students to the university’s academic environment, research culture, and institutional resources supporting higher education.
The opening ceremony took place at Abdurrahman Wahid Hall and was officially inaugurated by UNISMA Rector Prof. Drs. Junaidi, M.Pd., Ph.D. In his address, the rector underscored the importance of understanding academic culture as a foundation for successful adaptation and academic achievement.
A central moment of the ceremony was the symbolic presentation of almamater jackets to new postgraduate students. The presentation was conducted by the Secretary of the UNISMA Foundation Board, Dr. Mochtar Data, M.Pd., together with the Rector, Director of Postgraduate Studies Prof. M. Mas’ud Said, MM., Ph.D., and the university’s Vice Rector for Student Affairs.
The orientation continued with academic briefings delivered by UNISMA professors, including Prof. Junaidi Mistar and Prof. Maskuri.
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The program’s highlight was the Studium Generale delivered by Prof. Sangkot Sirait. In his lecture, “Education in the Global Era: UNISMA’s Competitive and Excellence-Driven Approach,” he outlined multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary frameworks in contemporary education. He also examined the relationship between religion and science, a recurring discourse within academic communities.
“Religion and science are distinct, but they should not be positioned in opposition,” Prof. Sangkot said, emphasizing the need for a harmonious understanding of both domains to address modern educational challenges.
He further stressed the urgency of innovation in global education, commending UNISMA’s efforts to advance competitive, internationally oriented learning models.
An interactive discussion session followed, marked by active student participation. Questions addressed the intersection of religion and science
Another student discussed rationality and approaches to interpreting religious texts perceived as irrational.
A participant commented on society’s deep immersion in positivism and the difficulty of moving beyond it.
In the final session before the Zuhur prayer, Dr. Faruq Ubaidillah, M.Pd., alumnus of UNISMA’s English Department, delivered a lecture on academic writing. He presented practical strategies to help students publish research in Scopus-indexed international journals, a key benchmark in postgraduate scholarship.
Afternoon sessions featured briefings from postgraduate leadership. The Director of Postgraduate Studies outlined strategies for academic success, while Deputy Director I explained academic administration and Deputy Director II presented information on student services, facilities, and financial systems.
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Heads of Study Programs subsequently introduced their respective departments, detailing curricula, academic structures, financial procedures, and faculty members.
The OSHIKA MABA program is expected to provide postgraduate students with a comprehensive understanding of university life, enabling them to begin their academic journey at UNISMA with readiness and clear academic direction.
