Celebrating Excellence: UIN Jakarta Honors Kemenag’s Public Service Innovation Award

Rector’s Office, UIN Online News—UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta's Rector, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A. Ph.D., along with the university community, has expressed their heartfelt congratulations to the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia (Kemenag RI) for receiving the prestigious title of Best Public Service Innovation Provider for 2024. This recognition not only highlights the Ministry's commitment to innovation but also inspires UIN Jakarta, as a public institution under Kemenag, to continually enhance its services.

During a gathering held at the Rector’s Office on Wednesday (October 9, 2024), Prof. Asep praised the Ministry's remarkable achievement, stating, “We extend our warmest congratulations to the Ministry of Religious Affairs for this outstanding accomplishment as the Best Public Service Innovation Provider of 2024. This award motivates us to improve our own public service innovations."

The award reflects the Ministry's robust commitment to transformative public services, especially under the leadership of Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Various initiatives, including the Pusaka SuperApp, Senior-Friendly Hajj Program, and the Free Halal Certification (Sehati), showcase the Ministry's adaptability to digital advancements and its focus on inclusive services for all segments of society, including vulnerable populations.

Prof. Asep emphasized that this accolade serves as a catalyst for UIN Jakarta to further innovate in enhancing the quality of educational and religious services in Indonesia. He hopes that this recognition will also encourage other public institutions and personnel within Kemenag across the country to dedicate themselves to innovative public service delivery.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs received this award from the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (Kementerian PANRB) during the Excellent Service Festival held in Jakarta on Tuesday (October 8, 2024). Minister Azwar Anas personally presented the award to Minister Yaqut, praising his efforts in improving the governance of the Ministry.

In his address at the festival, attended by representatives from various ministries and local governments, Minister Azwar commended Minister Yaqut's commitment to addressing bureaucratic challenges. He noted significant improvements in personnel management, saying, “With collaboration, we have organized personnel data effectively, achieving a 90 percent completion rate. Let's applaud the efforts of the Minister of Religious Affairs.”

Minister Azwar also highlighted the increased availability of job positions under Minister Yaqut's leadership, stating, “We have expanded the number of available positions from just 5,000 to 110,000 across Indonesia, which includes roles such as marriage registrars, counselors, and teachers, ultimately enhancing religious services.”

At the same event, the Ministry of Religious Affairs was also recognized for its achievements in providing excellent public services, with two additional awards presented: one to the Bali Provincial Kemenag Office and another to the Bantul Kemenag Office for their exemplary service to vulnerable groups.

Minister Yaqut expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized that it reflects the dedication of the entire Kemenag family in striving to improve public services. He stated, “I am thankful and appreciative of all Kemenag civil servants who are committed to delivering impactful innovations that enhance our service quality.”

Under Minister Yaqut's leadership, the Ministry has embraced digital transformation, introducing the Pusaka SuperApp to facilitate access to religious services. The Ministry has also launched various public service innovations, including the Senior-Friendly Hajj Program, Free Halal Certification, and initiatives aimed at enhancing interfaith services.

This recognition from the Ministry of PANRB, along with accolades from other institutions like the Central Information Commission (KIP) and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), further underscores Kemenag’s commitment to excellence in public service. The Ministry has been acknowledged for its informative practices and quality service delivery in its evaluations. (Release from the Center for  Information & Public Relations UIN Jakarta/Kemenag RI)