The Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, continued its outreach to high school students through the HMPS IKS Goes to School initiative. As part of the program, the Head of the Social Welfare Study Program, Muhammad Izzul Haq, Ph.D., accompanied by Afifah Azzahro, Chair of the Student Association (HMPS IKS), visited MAN 3 Sleman (MAYOGA) on Monday, June 16.

The delegation was welcomed by the school principal, Moh Fadil Afif, Lc., M.Pd., and Dr. Failasufah, M.Pd.I., Chair of the Guidance and Counseling Teachers Association for Islamic Senior High Schools in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The visit provided an opportunity to introduce students and educators to the Social Welfare Study Program, including its curriculum, student activities, scholarship opportunities, and the diverse career pathways available to graduates.

The outreach program was designed to broaden students’ understanding of higher education options, particularly in the field of social welfare. Participants were introduced to the role of social workers and the growing demand for professionals capable of addressing social challenges faced by individuals, families, groups, and communities.

During the session, students learned about career opportunities in areas such as social services, community development, healthcare, child protection, disaster management, philanthropy, and humanitarian assistance. The discussion highlighted the increasingly important role of social welfare professionals in responding to complex social issues and promoting social well-being.

Beyond student recruitment and academic outreach, the visit also served as a platform for dialogue on the development of school social work as a complementary approach to guidance and counseling services. Discussions focused on a range of issues affecting students, including mental health, social relationships, family dynamics, and the creation of more inclusive learning environments.

The meeting further explored opportunities for future collaboration between the university and the school. Among the topics discussed was the possibility of establishing MAN 3 Sleman as a partner institution for student internships and field placements. Such partnerships would provide Social Welfare students with practical learning experiences while contributing to student support services within the school environment.

According to Dr. Muhammad Izzul Haq, introducing Social Welfare Studies to high school students is an important step in helping young people make informed decisions about their future academic and professional pathways.

“We want students to understand that Social Welfare is not merely about studying social problems,” he said. “It is also about preparing future professionals who can become agents of social change through social services, community empowerment, social policy, and humanitarian work.”

Through the HMPS IKS Goes to School program, the Social Welfare Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga hopes to raise awareness of the field among prospective university students while strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and secondary schools in advancing student welfare and social development.