On February 20, 2024, students from the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI) UIN Sunan Kalijaga, who had recently returned from their exchange programs, met with the Dean, Dr. Afdawaiza, S.Ag., M.Ag., and the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Abdur Rozaki, M.Si. They were accompanied by the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Cooperation, Dr. Ahmad Salehudin, M.A., the Head of FEBI’s International Task Force, Dr. Abdul Qoyyum, M.Fin., and a member of the student support team, Herin Ratnaningsih, S.Pd., M.Pd.B.I.
In 2023, a total of 28 FEBI students from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta participated in student exchange programs. Ten students attended the Wuxi Institute of Technology in Wuxi, China, from September 2023 to February 2024. At the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), there were two cohorts: seven students from February to July 2023 and eight students from September 2023 to February 2024. Additionally, three students attended the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) from September 2023 to March 2024.
Dr. Abdur Rozaki enthusiastically listened as each exchange student shared their experiences, ranging from encountering different learning traditions to their first time flying on an airplane. Responding to these stories, Dr. Abdur Rozaki, M.Si., emphasized that these remarkable experiences were the result of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI) courageously implementing the International Independent Learning-Independent Campus (MBKM) program. He noted that FEBI’s success story could serve as a model for other faculties at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. “I hope these success stories from the student exchange program can be documented, serving as inspiration and a reference for other faculties to conduct similar programs,” he stated.
Earlier, in the Dean’s office of FEBI UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Afdawaiza, S.Ag., M.Ag., warmly welcomed the returning exchange students. He highlighted three significant meanings behind the student exchange program: FEBI has pioneered semester-long exchange programs, not only at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta but also beyond; FEBI UIN Sunan Kalijaga has entered a new era of taking off; and the program demonstrates the leadership’s commitment to providing the best facilities and services for student development and quality improvement. To produce graduates who are—as FEBI’s tagline states—#ExcellentAndDignified, the Dean added that FEBI will continue to create bold, output-oriented program breakthroughs.
Meanwhile, the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Cooperation, Ahmad Salehudin, emphasized that the success of FEBI UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s 2023 student exchange program was the result of collaborative efforts and synergy with various stakeholders. This included the affirmative budgeting for the international MBKM program by UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s leadership, the support of FEBI Dean Dr. Afdawaiza, M.Ag., the full support of the Vice Dean for Academic and Institutional Affairs, Prof. Dr. Misnen Ardiansyah, M.Si., AK., CA., ACPA, and the meticulous budget management by the Vice Dean for Finance and Administration, Dr. Sunaryati, M.Si.
Furthermore, Salehudin added that the unlimited support from the Heads of Study Programs within FEBI UIN Sunan Kalijaga, particularly Dr. Abdul Qoyyum, who actively sought international cooperation opportunities to help students “take off,” and Mrs. Herin, who facilitated communication with the Wuxi Institute of Technology in Wuxi, China, was instrumental. “The success of FEBI UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s 2023 student exchange program is a testament to the collaboration and synergy among all elements within FEBI,” he concluded.