Expanding Women's Access to Higher Education through Mentoring, Scholarships, and Inclusive Campus Support

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta demonstrates its commitment to gender equality by supporting women's participation in higher education through mentoring opportunities, financial assistance programmes, gender-responsive educational initiatives, and campus facilities designed to reduce barriers to academic participation. The University recognises that equitable access to higher education requires more than the opportunity to enrol. Women may also face challenges related to financial circumstances, professional development, childcare responsibilities, personal safety, and access to suitable learning facilities.

Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring that women have meaningful opportunities to continue their education, develop their leadership capabilities, and participate fully in academic life. During 2024–2025, the University implemented and participated in initiatives supporting women's professional development, educational continuity, childcare needs, and protection within the academic environment. These initiatives contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality by strengthening institutional support for women's educational participation and personal development.

1. Supporting Women's Leadership Development through Mentoring

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta recognises mentoring as an important mechanism for strengthening women's confidence, leadership capabilities, and professional networks. On 6 March 2025, the University's Center for Gender and Child Studies (PSGA) participated in the International Women's Day Speed-Mentoring Roundtables, organised by the Embassy of Canada in Jakarta in collaboration with the Canadian Mission to ASEAN.

The event brought together established women leaders from diplomacy, public policy, civil society, economic empowerment, and other professional sectors. PSGA facilitated the participation of University representatives, including female academic staff and a female student from the Social Welfare Study Programme. During the programme, participants engaged directly with experienced women professionals through structured mentoring discussions. Each mentoring round provided opportunities to explore leadership challenges, career development, professional decision-making, and strategies for women's advancement.

The programme also enabled participants to develop professional networks and learn from women occupying leadership positions in different fields. PSGA representatives explicitly identified the activity as an opportunity to strengthen institutional capacity, expand women's networks, and adopt effective practices for future gender-responsive mentoring initiatives. Through its participation in the March 2025 programme, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta provided documented access to a structured mentoring opportunity for women from its academic community. Although this activity was hosted by an external partner rather than organised independently by the University, the University's involvement demonstrates an active effort to connect women with professional mentoring and leadership development opportunities.

2. Developing Gender-Responsive Learning through the Gender Academy

The University's commitment to women's empowerment is also reflected in its institutional gender-education initiatives. On 4–6 June 2024, PSGA organised a three-day Focus Group Discussion addressing gender equality, patriarchal structures, women's empowerment, and the importance of gender-responsive academic environments.

The event was accompanied by the launch of the Gender Academy, a new programme developed by PSGA. The initiative was designed to provide educational activities focused on gender issues for members of the University community. Its intended activities included specialised learning sessions aimed at improving understanding of gender equality and strengthening institutional awareness. By establishing the Gender Academy, the University created an institutional platform for knowledge-sharing and capacity development concerning women's rights, gender justice, and inclusive participation.

This initiative complements individual mentoring activities by addressing the social and institutional conditions that influence women's educational and professional experiences. The Gender Academy also demonstrates that gender-responsive capacity development forms part of the University's broader institutional agenda.

3. Supporting Educational Continuity through Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Financial barriers can significantly affect students' ability to enter and remain in higher education. Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta addresses these barriers through institutional scholarships, externally funded financial assistance, and programmes administered in collaboration with its Social Trust Fund (STF). On 28 February 2025, STF UIN Jakarta distributed scholarships to 53 students during an official award event at the University Student Center.

The assistance was distributed through several scholarship categories, including Academic Achievement Scholarships, Professor Nabilah Lubis Scholarships, Professor Husni Rahim Scholarships, and Professor Azyumardi Azra Scholarships. These programmes provide financial support for eligible students and contribute to educational continuity. STF's July 2025 scholarship announcement also identified additional support mechanisms, including tuition assistance, mentoring, capacity-building activities, and opportunities for volunteer participation. These provisions illustrate how financial assistance can be combined with personal and professional development opportunities.

Importantly, the scholarship schemes are available to eligible female students as part of the University's wider student-support arrangements. The University's January 2025 announcement concerning the Bank Mega Syariah Generasi Berkah Scholarship also documented a female UIN Jakarta student among the seven University recipients. Together, these initiatives provide evidence that women can access scholarship and financial assistance opportunities supported or facilitated by the University. However, the publicly verified scholarship programmes should not be described as exclusively reserved for women unless their specific eligibility conditions establish such a restriction.

4. Supporting Women's Academic Participation through Childcare Facilities

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta recognises that childcare responsibilities can create significant challenges for women seeking to maintain academic or professional participation. To address these needs, PSGA collaborated with the Faculty of Medicine to establish the University's first institutional daycare facility.

The facility was officially inaugurated on 2 June 2024 at the Faculty of Medicine. The launch was attended by representatives of University leadership, PSGA, and the Faculty of Medicine. The initiative was introduced as part of the University's commitment to creating a campus environment that is more supportive of women, children, and family responsibilities. The facility was particularly intended to assist working parents who need childcare support while carrying out their responsibilities at the University. University representatives emphasised that access to appropriate childcare could help parents maintain their professional activities without compromising the care and well-being of their children.

The daycare initiative reflects an important dimension of gender-responsive campus development. By recognising that care responsibilities affect participation in education and employment, the University demonstrated an institutional effort to reduce practical barriers experienced by women with childcare responsibilities. The establishment of the daycare facility in June 2024 provides direct evidence of an institutional support provision designed to improve the University's family-friendly and gender-responsive environment.

5. Providing Lactation Facilities for Female Students and Staff

The University also supports women through facilities designed to accommodate breastfeeding and maternal health needs. On 16 May 2025, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences publicly documented the availability of a dedicated lactation room on the second floor of its faculty building. The facility was explicitly made available to lecturers, administrative staff, and students who required breastfeeding or milk-expression support. The provision responds to practical challenges that breastfeeding women may encounter when participating in academic or professional activities.

Without suitable facilities, women may face difficulties maintaining breastfeeding practices or balancing their educational and employment responsibilities. The lactation room offers an appropriate environment that supports maternal well-being and helps reduce the need to interrupt academic or professional participation. The University's official publication also connected the facility with national provisions concerning appropriate breastfeeding spaces. By providing lactation facilities accessible to female students as well as staff, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has implemented a practical measure supporting women's continued participation in university life. This provision demonstrates that gender equality is addressed not only through policy statements but also through facilities responding to women's everyday needs.

6. Strengthening Women's Safety through Protection and Counselling Services

Women's participation in higher education also depends on their ability to study in an environment that protects their dignity, personal safety, and well-being. Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta addresses these needs through its Center for Gender and Child Studies and institutional mechanisms for preventing and responding to sexual violence. On 11 July 2025, the Faculty of Medicine formally publicised its Counselling and Prevention and Handling of Bullying and Sexual Violence Unit (P3KS).

The unit operates as part of the University's wider ERTRI protection framework. Its responsibilities include receiving reports, providing counselling, addressing complaints, and supporting individuals experiencing bullying or sexual violence. These services cover academic and non-academic concerns and are intended to strengthen a safe, inclusive, and equitable university environment. The University also used its 2025 new-student orientation activities to introduce PSGA, ERTRI, reporting procedures, and available assistance to incoming students.

By explaining how students can access protection and support, the University increased awareness of resources intended to address harassment and other barriers to participation. These arrangements are relevant to women's access because concerns regarding personal safety, harassment, and discrimination can affect educational experiences and students' ability to continue their studies. The availability of institutional reporting and counselling mechanisms therefore forms part of the University's broader gender-responsive student-support system.

7. Integrating Mentoring, Financial Support, and Inclusive Facilities

The University's initiatives demonstrate several complementary approaches to supporting women's educational participation. Mentoring and professional development provide opportunities to build leadership capabilities, professional confidence, and networks. Scholarships and financial assistance help eligible students address educational costs and support continued enrolment. Childcare and lactation facilities respond to caregiving and maternal needs that can affect academic participation. Protection and counselling services support the development of a safer environment in which women can pursue educational opportunities.

These provisions address different barriers to higher education and reflect the recognition that women's participation depends on financial, institutional, social, and personal circumstances. Through the coordinated contributions of PSGA, academic faculties, STF, and student-support units, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta has established multiple mechanisms relevant to supporting women's access and continued engagement in higher education.

8. Institutional Contribution to SDG 5: Gender Equality

During 2024–2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta demonstrated practical efforts to strengthen women's access to educational and professional development opportunities. The University's participation in the March 2025 International Women's Day mentoring programme provided female students and staff with opportunities to learn from established women leaders.

The launch of the Gender Academy in June 2024 supported institutional education concerning women's empowerment and gender justice. Scholarship programmes administered through STF and University partnerships provided financial assistance opportunities accessible to eligible female students. The establishment of the daycare facility in June 2024 and the documented availability of lactation facilities in May 2025 demonstrated tangible support for women's childcare and maternal needs. Institutional counselling and sexual violence prevention services further strengthened arrangements supporting safe academic participation.

These documented initiatives demonstrate that Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta provides a combination of mentoring opportunities, accessible financial assistance, and other gender-responsive provisions supporting women's participation in higher education. Through these measures, the University advances Sustainable Development Goal 5 by addressing barriers to women's educational participation and creating opportunities for academic, personal, and professional development.

Source :
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