Advancing Evidence-Based Public Policy through Collaborative Government Research at UIN Jakarta

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta actively contributes to the development of evidence-based public policy through research collaboration with national government agencies, ministries, and public research institutions. The University recognises that effective governance requires reliable research, comprehensive public data, and cooperation between policymakers and academic researchers.

During 2024–2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta undertook collaborative research addressing the social impacts of national development, the evaluation of public religious services, and the protection of children in Islamic educational institutions. These initiatives demonstrate the University's commitment to generating research that responds to government priorities and provides evidence relevant to policy evaluation, development, and improvement. Through its academic faculties and research centres, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, particularly Indicator 16.3.3 concerning participation in policy-focused research with government departments.

1. Conducting Collaborative Research with Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency

In July 2024, researchers from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta collaborated with Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to investigate the social impacts of the development of Indonesia's new capital city, Nusantara. The research focused on traditional fishing communities in Jenebora, Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan. The Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta research team was led by Professor Jajang Jahroni, while the BRIN team was led by Dr. Ery Soedewo. The researchers conducted approximately ten days of fieldwork to examine how large-scale national infrastructure development affected local livelihoods, fishing activities, and community welfare.

The study involved interviews with fishermen, religious leaders, traditional leaders, village authorities, representatives of the Penajam Paser Utara Fisheries Department, and officials associated with the Nusantara Capital Authority. The research identified concerns among traditional fishermen regarding changes in fishing access, livelihood security, and the socioeconomic consequences of regional development. The research team emphasised the importance of using these findings to support better government policies for communities affected by the development of Nusantara.

Through this collaboration, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta directly participated in government-related research designed to contribute to policy discussions concerning regional development, social protection, and the welfare of local communities.

2. Developing a National Religious Services Index with the Ministry of Religious Affairs

On 16 July 2025, the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance (Ditjen Bimas Islam) of Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs collaborated with Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta researchers to develop the Religious Outreach Services Index (Indeks Layanan Dakwah). The initiative was intended to strengthen the measurement and evaluation of government religious services. The development of the index responds to the need for reliable indicators demonstrating how government religious programmes contribute to public welfare and religious development. Professor Gun Gun Heryanto, Dean of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta's Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences, explained that the research would adopt a national quantitative survey approach.

The survey was designed to evaluate public satisfaction with government religious outreach services through five dimensions:

1. Public perceptions of religious outreach policies.

2. Competencies of religious outreach personnel.

3. Satisfaction with government religious outreach programmes.

4. Accessibility and innovation in religious communication channels.

5. The impact of outreach activities on public religious literacy.

The study covers services provided through mosques, Religious Affairs Offices (KUA), religious counsellors, and official government digital platforms. The research initiative was designed to produce a Religious Outreach Services Index, a policy brief, and a data-based report for the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance. These planned outputs are intended to help government authorities evaluate existing services and formulate more effective future policies. The collaboration demonstrates UIN Jakarta's direct contribution to the development of evidence-based policy instruments within a national government ministry.

3. Supporting Child-Friendly Islamic Boarding School Policy through Research

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta also contributes to policy-oriented research in education, child protection, and institutional safeguarding through its Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM). During 2024–2025, PPIM continued a comprehensive research initiative concerning child-friendly Islamic boarding schools and the prevention of sexual violence in educational environments. The initiative received support from Indonesia's Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection. The research included a national survey conducted in 2023 involving 90 Islamic boarding schools across 34 provinces, with 1,800 students and teachers participating.

In 2024, the research continued through in-depth interviews with 170 informants from 17 Islamic boarding schools and 12 related institutions across 13 provinces. The study examined institutional conditions, child-protection practices, vulnerability to sexual violence, and approaches to creating safer educational environments. The findings were developed into two research publications, Menuju Pesantren Ramah Anak and Menjaga Marwah Pesantren. These publications examined the implementation of child-friendly boarding-school policies and explored mechanisms for preventing and responding to sexual violence.

In July 2025, PPIM publicly presented and discussed the research findings with academic researchers, representatives of government institutions, civil-society organisations, and education stakeholders. The research contributes evidence relevant to strengthening government policies and institutional safeguards for children in religious educational settings.

4. Integrating Field Research and Government Policy Priorities

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta's research activities demonstrate several models of collaboration with government institutions.In the Nusantara development study, University researchers worked directly with BRIN to understand the effects of national development on local communities. In the Religious Outreach Services Index initiative, University researchers collaborated with a national government ministry to develop measurable indicators for evaluating public services. In the Child-Friendly Islamic Boarding School initiative, the University conducted research with the support of multiple government institutions to improve understanding of child protection and educational safeguarding. These collaborations connect academic research to government responsibilities in public administration, infrastructure development, religious services, education, and social protection.

They also demonstrate that Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta's research contributions extend beyond conventional academic publication toward the development of evidence relevant to public policy.

5. Promoting Evidence-Based Government Decision-Making

Evidence-based government decision-making requires credible information that reflects the experiences and needs of citizens. Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta's collaborative research initiatives support this approach by incorporating quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, field observations, and institutional analysis. The BRIN collaboration provided insights into the lived experiences of fishing communities affected by a major national development project. The Religious Outreach Services Index initiative introduced a framework for measuring public satisfaction with government religious services. The PPIM research programme provided empirical evidence about safeguarding practices and challenges in Islamic boarding schools. These research approaches help identify policy gaps, evaluate institutional practices, and provide recommendations for more responsive government programmes. Through its research collaborations, UIN Jakarta supports the relationship between academic knowledge and public-sector policy development.

6. Strengthening University–Government Research Collaboration

The University's participation in policy-focused research is supported by collaboration across academic and institutional units. These include the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, the Faculty of Sharia and Law, the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences, and the Center for the Study of Islam and Society. Working with government organisations enables these academic units to address complex public issues requiring expertise from multiple disciplines.

The participation of government research institutions and ministries also creates opportunities for knowledge exchange and the application of academic findings to public-sector priorities. During 2024–2025, these collaborations demonstrated the University's capacity to contribute to research concerning regional development, public service evaluation, and child protection. The resulting evidence and research outputs provide a foundation for continued cooperation between UIN Jakarta and government institutions.

7. Contribution to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta demonstrates its commitment to strengthening public institutions through collaborative, policy-oriented research. In 2024, the University conducted joint research with the National Research and Innovation Agency examining the social impacts of the Nusantara Capital development on traditional fishing communities. In 2025, University researchers collaborated with the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance to develop the Religious Outreach Services Index as an instrument for evaluating government religious services.

The University also contributed to research on child-friendly Islamic boarding schools, supported by national government institutions and disseminated in July 2025.

Together, these initiatives provide direct evidence that Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta undertakes policy-focused research in collaboration with government departments and public research institutions.

By contributing research findings, evaluation frameworks, and policy-relevant analysis, the University supports more informed public decision-making, inclusive development, and stronger institutional governance. These activities directly contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 16, particularly Indicator 16.3.3, by strengthening the connection between academic research and evidence-based government policy.

Source : 
https://uinjkt.ac.id/id/peneliti-uin-jakarta-dan-brin-kaji-dampak-pembangunan-ikn-bagi-kehidupan-nelayan-lokal 
https://kemenag.go.id/nasional/ditjen-bimas-islam-dan-uin-jakarta-susun-indeks-layanan-dakwah-PUang 
https://uinjkt.ac.id/id/ppim-uin-jakarta-luncurkan-dan-bedah-buku-pesantren-ramah-anak 
https://perpus.uinjkt.ac.id/id/uin-jakarta-dan-brin-sepakat-bangun-ekosistem-akademik-lewat-inovasi-riset-dan-publikasi-ilmiah