Balitbang Diklat Kemenag: UIN Jakarta Most Contributive in Book Assessment
Jakarta, UIN News Online - The Research and Development and Education Agency (Balitbang Diklat) of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs awarded UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta as the most contributive work unit in the religious education book assessment program. The award was given in a musical drama performance 'Ekspose Kemenag Kita' at the H. Usmar Ismail Film Center Building, Jakarta, Thursday night (28/12/2023).
The award was presented directly by the Head of the Research and Development and Training Agency of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Suyitno M.Ag. In addition to UIN Jakarta, awards were also given to various Ministry of Religion work units with three categories of appreciation, namely the largest program support, the highest research index, and the optimization of research data.
A number of officials within the Ministry of Religious Affairs itself attended the awarding night. Among them, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs H. Saiful Rahmat Dasuki M.Si, Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Nizar M.Ag., Director General of Islamic Education Prof. Dr. M. Ali Ramdani, Director General of Islamic Guidance Prof. Dr. Kamaruddin Amin, Director General of Hajj and Umrah Prof. Hilman Latief M.Si., and others.
In his remarks, Professor Suyitno revealed that the awarding could not be separated from the encouragement of Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas so that Balitbangdiklat became the Ministry's kitchen in producing various policies. "In a sense, work units in the Ministry of Religion that use R&D data for policy," he said.
For this reason, he continued, in addition to exposing the various achievements of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia throughout 2023, tonight is also carried out as a time of appreciation to work units that are considered the most contributive. "Tonight, we give appreciation to those who are considered to support and optimize research data in policy making," he continued.
UIN Jakarta itself was appointed as the recipient of the largest program support category award as the most contributive university in the religious education book assessment program. Along with UIN Jakarta, UIN Bandung was also chosen as the most responsive university in the regional language translation program.
In addition, the highest research index score category was awarded to two groups. First, the index of lecturers' attitudes towards the practice of religious moderation, given to UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, UIN Fatmawati Soekarno, Bengkulu, IAKN Kupang. Second, the Bangka Belitung Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for the level of reading and writing the Qur'an at the junior and senior high school levels.
Then, in the category of optimization of research and development data, a number of work units were selected. Respectively, the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs received an award in the utilization of religious harmony data, the Directorate General of Islamic Education for the utilization of religious book data, the Directorate General of Islamic Guidance for KUA service data index data, and BPJPH for halal literacy index.
Responding to the award received, Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar M.A. Ph.D expressed his gratitude on behalf of the leadership and academic community of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta to the Research and Development and Education Agency of the Ministry of Religion. According to him, this award is a motivation in increasing the participation of the academic community in the process of producing quality reference books for teachers and students throughout Indonesia.
"We thank you for the award given by the Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Hopefully UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta lecturers can continue to be trusted in presenting quality textbook manuscripts," he said.
Furthermore, Rector Asep Jahar also thanked the lecturers of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta who were involved in the assessment process of the books. He hopes that the lecturers involved will carry out the assessment seriously, full of integrity, dedication so that quality source books can be produced.
Contacted separately, Ratna Faeruz M.Pd., one of the UIN Jakarta lecturers involved in the assessment of religious education books of the Ministry of Religious Affairs welcomed the award. According to her, this award exceeded her expectations and those of other lecturers involved in the assessment process of religious education books.
"We, participate in the assessment process of educational books solely because of our responsibility to participate in presenting quality book manuscripts from a pedagogical point of view," said Lektor of the Early Childhood Islamic Education Study Program at FITK UIN Jakarta.
Involvement in the assessment of religious education books, he said, was carried out together with lecturers in the FITK UIN Jakarta environment. This was done after they heard information about the acceptance of assessors of religious education books from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
"So, this is a direct initiative of the lecturers to get involved. Of course also with the full support of the faculty leadership and the rectorate of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta," he said.
In addition to having the required knowledge, including pedagogical approaches in presenting quality books, the assessors must also go through a series of strict selections from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. But given the importance of book assessment, Ratna said, a series of strict selection and adequate knowledge is a must for anyone involved.
Meanwhile, the Balitbang Diklat of the Ministry of Religious Affairs closed its 2023 work program with a musical drama entitled "Our Ministry". The performance, directed by Agus Noor, presented a number of artists such as Dewi Gita, Cing Abel, Akbar, Mucle, Tatok, Ayu, and others to convey the Ministry's various achievements throughout 2023.
Some of the Ministry's achievements that are displayed are strengthening religious moderation, digital transformation, KUA revitalization, pesantren independence, cyber Islamic university, religiosity index, and year of harmony. In addition, there is also an elderly-friendly hajj, acceleration of halal certification, bureaucratic reform and optimization of the merit system, as well as preparation of braile scriptures and signs for friends with disabilities. (Aditya W/ FNH/ZM)