Advancing Sustainability Education through Dedicated Academic Courses at UIN Jakarta

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta is committed to strengthening education for sustainable development through academic programmes, dedicated environmental courses, interdisciplinary learning, and the integration of sustainability principles into University curricula. The University recognises that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires students to develop an understanding of environmental challenges, social responsibility, ecological sustainability, and the relationships between human activities and natural ecosystems.

Through its academic programmes and curriculum-development policies, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta provides opportunities for students to study sustainability-related subjects within their respective disciplines.

1. Institutional Commitment to Sustainability Education

On 21 October 2024, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta established Rector's Circular Letter Number 20 of 2024 concerning the Implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education in Green Campus Management. The circular directs academic units to incorporate sustainable environmental management into teaching and learning activities.

Its provisions include the integration of environmental sustainability into semester learning plans, interdisciplinary learning approaches, and dedicated courses addressing environmental issues and sustainable development. The circular also encourages seminars, discussions, guest lectures, and academic activities addressing environmental sustainability.

These provisions establish a formal policy basis for strengthening sustainability-related education across the University's academic programmes.

2. Providing Dedicated Courses on Human Ecology

The Islamic Community Development Study Programme within the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication offers a course entitled Human Ecology (Ekologi Manusia). This course addresses relationships between human communities and their surrounding environment.

Its educational activities include field-based learning and observations designed to strengthen students' understanding of social and ecological dynamics. In July 2023, students participating in the course conducted field studies in Bogor Regency, examining interactions between communities, environmental conditions, and local development.

The programme demonstrates the University's provision of discipline-specific environmental education that connects ecological understanding with community development. The knowledge developed through such learning is relevant to sustainable communities, environmental protection, and responsible development.

3. Supporting Environmental Literacy through Population and Environmental Studies

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta also provides environmental education through the Population and Environment course (Kependudukan dan Lingkungan Hidup) associated with the Social Studies Education Programme. This course addresses population-related issues, environmental conditions, and ecological awareness.

A research study published in December 2025 examined the relationship between students' competence in this course and their ecological literacy. The research involved Social Studies Education students and highlighted the importance of environmental education in developing awareness of ecological challenges.

These findings support the educational relevance of dedicated environmental courses within the University's academic programmes. Such learning contributes to students' understanding of the relationship between population dynamics, environmental sustainability, and responsible citizenship.

4. Integrating Sustainability into Academic Programmes

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has also documented broader efforts to incorporate sustainability into academic curricula. An institutional evidence document prepared for UI GreenMetric identifies 57 study programmes associated with sustainability-related learning across 13 faculties and academic units.

The programmes span fields including education, natural sciences, health, economics, social sciences, law, and community development. The evidence describes a Curriculum Refreshment Programme intended to incorporate sustainability principles into learning modules and academic activities.

This approach reflects the University's recognition that sustainability issues are relevant to multiple disciplines and should not be restricted to environmental science alone.

However, the figure of 57 represents programmes classified as sustainability-related in the institutional evidence, rather than 57 degrees dedicated exclusively to sustainability.

5. Promoting Interdisciplinary Sustainable Development Education

The University's 2024 curriculum policy encourages interdisciplinary approaches to environmental sustainability. Such approaches can strengthen students' ability to understand how environmental, economic, social, and institutional factors interact in sustainable development.

For example, ecology and environmental education address ecosystem protection and environmental awareness, while community development explores the relationship between social participation and local environmental conditions. Interdisciplinary learning helps connect sustainability concepts with practical challenges faced by communities.

Through this approach, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta seeks to support the development of knowledge and skills relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals.

6. Supporting Sustainability Learning through Academic Activities

Dedicated courses are complemented by educational activities addressing environmental sustainability. The University's curriculum policy recognises seminars, academic discussions, guest lectures, and student participation in environmental programmes as mechanisms for strengthening sustainability awareness.

Field studies conducted through the Human Ecology course demonstrate how academic learning can extend beyond classrooms and connect students with environmental challenges. These activities provide opportunities to apply academic knowledge through observation, community engagement, and interdisciplinary discussion.

They also support the development of environmental responsibility and greater awareness of sustainable development challenges.

7. Strengthening Course Documentation and Learning Outcomes

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta's academic programmes and sustainability policies provide an institutional foundation for dedicated sustainability education. Further documentation could strengthen transparency concerning the number and content of sustainability-focused courses.

Relevant evidence includes official curriculum structures, course titles and codes, credit values, semester learning plans, and learning outcomes explicitly connected to environmental sustainability or the SDGs.

Such documentation would improve the University's ability to demonstrate the breadth and depth of sustainability education across its academic programmes. It would also support continuous evaluation and development of sustainability-related learning.

8. Contribution to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta demonstrates its commitment to education for sustainable development through dedicated academic courses and institutional curriculum policies. Rector's Circular Letter Number 20 of 2024 establishes a policy basis for incorporating environmental sustainability into teaching, learning plans, interdisciplinary education, and dedicated courses.

The University has documented sustainability-related learning through the Human Ecology course in Islamic Community Development and the Population and Environment course in Social Studies Education. Furthermore, institutional UI GreenMetric evidence identifies 57 study programmes associated with sustainability-related education and curriculum-development activities.

Together, these policies, courses, and academic initiatives demonstrate that Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta provides educational opportunities specifically addressing environmental sustainability and themes relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals.

These efforts contribute to SDG 17, particularly Indicator 17.4.2, by strengthening sustainability education through dedicated courses, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary academic learning.

Source :
https://www.fdikom.uinjkt.ac.id/id/mahasiswa-prodi-pmi-mengadakan-studi-lapangan-ekologi-manusia-di-kabupaten-bogor 
https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/handle/123456789/90557 
https://asset.uinjkt.ac.id/uploads/fmXyXwZY/2025/02/Laporan-Kinerja-UIN-JAKARTA-2024-PUBLISH.pdf