Located in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room of FDK, on Friday, January 24, 2025, the Social Welfare Studies Program (IKS) of the Faculty of Da'wah & Communication at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta organized a Sharing Session on International Collaboration in partnership with the School of Social Work at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. The event aimed to discuss opportunities and potential collaborative partnerships between the two institutions.

In his opening remarks, which also commenced the discussion, the Dean of FDK, Prof. Dr. Arif Maftuhin, shared the historical connection and close ties between McGill University and UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta in the past. One notable example was the sending of faculty members to continue their studies at McGill University, including in Social Work at the master’s, doctoral, and short-course levels. This was followed by the establishment of the Interdisciplinary-Islamic Studies (IIS) Social Work program in 2003, which later became the foundation for the establishment of the Social Welfare Studies Program (IKS) in 2009.Becoming the first Social Work and Social Welfare education program at a State Islamic Higher Education Institution (PTKIN) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

McGill University was represented by Professor Nicole Ives (Director of the School of Social Work), Professor Jill Hanley, three PhDcandidates from the School of Social Work—Hend Alqawasma, Godfrey Makoha, and Nellie Alcaraz—as well as research associate Andreanne Dufour.

In addition to faculty and students from the IKS program, the event was also attended by Irwan Fauzi, the Chairperson of the Independent Social Work Professionals Association of Indonesia (IPSPI) for the DIY region. He shared insights about the current state of social work in Indonesia, challenges for social workers, and the professionalization of social work practice in the country.

The sharing session was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the IKS Program, represented by Muhammad Izzul Haq (Head of Program), and the School of Social Work at McGill University, represented by Professor Nicole Ives (Director), witnessed by the Dean of FDK, Prof. Dr. Arif Maftuhin. The MoU outlines a mutual understanding between the two parties to collaborate on information and knowledge exchange, the organization of international webinars, opportunities for international internships, joint research, and publications.

In his statement, Muhammad Izzul Haq, the Head of the IKS Program, expressed hope that the visit from the School of Social Work at McGill University would further strengthen and continue the academic relationship in the fields of social work and social welfare between McGill University and UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. Moving forward, this collaborative partnership will support the three pillars of higher education (education, research, and community service) for the academic communities of both institutions.

Meanwhile, Professor Nicole Ives, the Director of the School of Social Work at McGill University, welcomed the collaboration and expressed readiness to further implement the agreements outlined in the MoU, similar to collaborations established with social work campuses in Japan.