Kuala Lumpur, August 1, 2024 – The Social Welfare Studies Program (Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial/IKS) of the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia, visited the Center for Psychological and Human Well-being Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The delegation included Prof. Dr. Hj. Marhumah, M.Pd., Dean of the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication; Siti Solechah, M.Si., Head of the Social Welfare Studies Program; Abidah Muflihati, M.Si., Secretary of the Social Welfare Studies Program; faculty members (Lathiful Khuluq, Ph.D., M. Izzul Haq, M.Sc., Idan Ramdani, M.A., Khotibul Umam, M.Si., Noorkamilah, M.Si.); Sudarmawan, staff member of the Social Welfare Studies Program; and Kisy Anif Ngestiti, S.Sos., an alumnus of the program. Additionally, 28 students from the 2023 cohort of the Santri Berprestasi scholarship recipients also participated in the visit.

The delegation was warmly received by Associate Professor Dr. Azlan Abas, Deputy Dean (Postgraduate) of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Norulhuda Sarnon @ Kusenin, Head of the Social Work Program, as well as other faculty members and alumni of UKM.

In his remarks, Associate Professor Dr. Azlan Abas elaborated on the necessity of establishing the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities in Malaysia and the opportunities and challenges it faces. Prof. Dr. Hj. Marhumah, M.Pd., also shared insights into the establishment of the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, emphasizing its opportunities and challenges. Meanwhile, Dr. Norulhuda presented an overview of the Social Work Program at UKM, and Siti Solechah discussed the Social Welfare Studies Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

The visit aimed to explore collaboration opportunities with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, particularly the Social Work Program, in the areas of education, research, and community service for both faculty members and students. The parties expressed hopes for follow-up actions, including the drafting of a Cooperation Agreement (SPK). Furthermore, the visit provided Social Welfare Studies students with new insights and knowledge about social work practices in Malaysia.