IKS UIN Sunan Kalijaga Lead Community Engagement at Child Welfare Institution in Bantul

The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has reaffirmed its commitment to community engagement through a field-based service initiative carried out by 10 students from Class of 2024 from the Program Beasiswa Santri Berprestasi (PBSB)—widely known within its national network as CSSMORA (Community of Santri Scholars of the Ministry of Religious Affairs),at LKSA Bintan Sa'dillah Rasyid.

The program, which ran from June 30 to its closing on August 16, 2025, was supervised by lecturers Abidah Muflihati, M.Si and Khotibul Umam, M.Si. Designed as both a learning platform and a form of institutional support, the initiative reflects IKS’s integrated approach to education, professional practice, and community service.

Over the course of the program, students focused on three key areas. First, they provided administrative assistance to support the institution’s preparation for accreditation, helping organize documentation, strengthen record-keeping systems, and align institutional practices with required standards.

Second, the students conducted a series of educational and skills-training activities for children residing at the institution. These sessions aimed not only to build practical competencies but also to foster confidence, independence, and a sense of motivation among the children.

Third, the team carried out psychosocial assessments, applying core social work methods to better understand the emotional, social, and environmental conditions of the children. The findings are expected to inform more responsive and tailored interventions moving forward.

At the closing ceremony, Abdul Basit, head of the institution, expressed his appreciation for the students’ contributions and the broader support from IKS. He noted that the program had strengthened both the managerial capacity of the organization and the quality of services provided to the children.

“This support has been invaluable,” he said, highlighting the dual impact of administrative reinforcement and enhanced care for the institution’s beneficiaries.

The initiative underscores the role of IKS UIN Sunan Kalijaga in preparing future social workers who are not only technically skilled but also grounded in empathy and social responsibility—qualities essential to advancing inclusive and sustainable social welfare practices.