The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga continues to expand its global engagement on critical social issues, convening a sharing session on August 14, 2025, with representatives from Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and a network of labor unions. The event brought together actors from the global, regional, and national labor movement in a dialogue that bridged academic inquiry and field-based advocacy.

Among those in attendance were Patrick Fonjallaz of Geneva and Hege Espe of Norway, representing BWI at the global level, alongside Apolinar “Dong” Tolentino, Regional Representative for BWI Asia Pacific, and Khamid Istakhori, Project Manager of BWI Indonesia. The session also included key national partners: SERBUK (Confederation of Indonesian People’s Labor Unions), SBKI (Indonesian Construction Workers Union), and SPLI (Indonesian Electrical Workers Union).

IKS was represented by its Head of Program, Muhammad Izzul Haq, Ph.D., accompanied by students currently undertaking their practicum placement at SERBUK. Their presence underscored the program’s emphasis on experiential learning, where classroom knowledge is directly connected to real-world practice.

The discussion unfolded as a dynamic exchange on the evolving landscape of global labor movements, the persistent challenges in protecting workers—particularly in construction and industrial sectors—and the importance of cross-border solidarity in advancing labor rights. For students, the session offered a critical lens on the role of social workers within the field of labor and industrial relations.

As a strategic partner of SERBUK, the IKS program has long invested in strengthening students’ literacy on labor rights and social justice in the workplace. This commitment is reflected in its Industrial Social Work course, where students are equipped with theoretical and analytical frameworks on labor relations, worker protection, and social advocacy.

Beyond the classroom, the program facilitates three-month practicum placements at SERBUK, allowing students to engage directly in labor advocacy, community organizing, and case-based assistance for workers. The impact of this approach extends beyond graduation; several IKS alumni have gone on to become key activists and leaders within SERBUK, signaling a sustained contribution to the labor movement.

Dr. Izzul noted that such collaborations are not incidental but form part of a broader academic strategy. “Labor issues remain a crucial arena for social work practice. Through partnerships like this, students are not only exposed to theory but are immersed in the lived realities of advocacy and worker empowerment,” he said.

The session reflects IKS UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s broader commitment to internationalization—linking academic institutions with social movements and global organizations. In doing so, the program seeks to cultivate socially engaged graduates who are both critically informed and globally connected.