In a growing effort to professionalize Indonesia’s social work sector, the Social Welfare Studies Program (Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial or IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga hosted a technical guidance and information session on the National Competency Certification Examination for Social Workers. The event was held in collaboration with the Certification Task Force of the Polytechnic of Social Welfare (Poltekesos) Bandung.

Held on Friday, May 9, in the Teatrikal Hall of the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication, the session drew 65 final-year students—predominantly from the 2021 cohort—who have completed their mandatory fieldwork placements in social work practice.

The program featured three leading figures from Poltekesos Bandung: Dr. Aep Rusmana, Vice Director II of Poltekesos and an assessor for the Professional Certification Agency (LSP); Drs. Wawan Heryana, Head of the Certification Task Force; and Hilmi Ihsanulloh, Coordinator of Certification Data at Poltekesos.

In his opening remarks, Muhammad Izzul Haq, Head of the Social Welfare Studies Program, welcomed the collaboration as a crucial step toward bridging academic training with professional qualification. “Certification is more than just a formality—it’s a recognition of your competence as future social workers,” he stated. “I encourage every student to take this process seriously and to understand the certification pathway thoroughly.”

The event continued with detailed presentations from the three speakers, covering the national regulatory framework for social worker certification, procedural requirements, and strategies for navigating the competency examination. An engaging question-and-answer session followed, moderated by Khotibul Umam, Secretary of the IKSProgram.

The initiative reflects a nationwide push to ensure that social work graduates are not only academically trained but also professionally certified, equipping them to meet the complex demands of Indonesia’s growing social services sector.