Prioritizing Student Rights, UIN Jakarta Urges Public to Understand the Issue Holistically
Jakarta — UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta emphasized that educational continuity and the fulfillment of students' rights remain the top priority in the ongoing restructuring and integration of educational units. Furthermore, UIN Jakarta urged the public to view the management of State Property (BMN) assets as part of restoring and organizing state-owned assets.
This was conveyed by Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D. during a press conference on BMN asset management at the Harun Nasution Building, Campus I UIN Jakarta, Wednesday (26/08/2026). The Rector assured that every BMN asset restructuring process within UIN Jakarta is conducted to ensure that teaching and learning activities, as well as students' rights across all involved educational units, remain completely uninterrupted.
“First and foremost, we ensure that the continuity of the learning process and the best interests of the students remain our primary focus. Educational activities must continue smoothly throughout this restructuring process,” Prof. Asep asserted.
According to him, the BMN asset restructuring process, such as that involving educational institutions under the Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Foundation, is carried out as part of institutional responsibility to safeguard and manage state assets in accordance with applicable regulations. The restructuring is not intended to eliminate educational functions, but rather to ensure that asset governance operates strictly within legal frameworks and state asset management standards.
“As Rector, I operate based on state mandates, legal provisions, and institutional interests. There are no personal interests in this process. Every step is taken institutionally and with legal counsel so that the entire process remains accountable,” he stated.
Originating from Lab School Functions
Vice Rector for General Administration of UIN Jakarta Prof. Dr. Imam Subchi, M.A. explained that the existence of educational units within the campus environment cannot be detached from the historical development of education at IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, which has now become UIN Jakarta. Therefore, he invited the public to examine the presence of the foundation and educational units within UIN Jakarta from both legal and historical perspectives.
“First, from a historical standpoint, we need to clarify that the foundation overseeing these educational institutions possesses a long history that is inextricably linked with the institutional journey of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta,” he stressed.
Vice Rector Imam explained that from the beginning, these educational institutions were closely tied to the higher education institution's need to provide educational facilities and learning tools for students. At that time, these schools also functioned as part of academic development and served as educational laboratories supporting academic processes.
“Originally, these schools functioned not only as educational institutions, but also as part of academic development and educational laboratories that supported the learning process,” he said.
Since operating educational units required an institutional foundation and legal entity, he continued, a foundation was formed, which evolved throughout history, including shifts in management structure. Over the course of this journey, several UIN Jakarta leaders from previous periods also served supervisory functions within the foundation.
“Throughout this history, several UIN Jakarta leaders served supervisory roles within the foundation. Among them were former Rectors of UIN Jakarta from previous periods. This demonstrates that the relationship between the foundation and UIN Jakarta as an institution shares a long institutional history,” he explained.
Referring to data from the legal team, the history of educational units within UIN Jakarta traces back to the Deed of Establishment of the IAIN Jakarta Welfare Foundation Number 117 dated April 22, 1964, executed before R. Soerojo Wongsowidjojo, Notary in Jakarta.
In its institutional journey, provisions regulated the ex-officio link between the position of Rector of IAIN Jakarta and the foundation's supervisory structure. The Rector of IAIN Jakarta was designated as ex-officio Chair of the Board of Trustees, while the Vice Rectors served as members of the Board of Trustees, and the Dean of the Faculty of Tarbiyah served ex-officio as Chair of the Foundation Board.
This historical connection further developed through several institutional policies. One notable example is Rector's Decree Number 6 of 1988 regarding the Transfer of Duties, Authority, and Responsibility for the Operation of Madrasah Pembangunan IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta to the Syarif Hidayatullah Foundation. In that document, the Rector at the time, Prof. Drs. Ahmad Syadali, M.A., was recorded as a Trustee in accordance with Deed Number 83 of 1988.
In subsequent developments, the Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Foundation also established and managed several educational units, including the Pembangunan Islamic Kindergarten (TKIP) and Pembangunan Islamic Elementary School (SDIP) located on Jalan Siliwangi, Pamulang, South Tangerang City. Previously, the Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta Foundation also oversaw Madrasah Pembangunan, which functioned as a lab school for the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teacher Training at IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta (now UIN Jakarta).
Furthermore, the Rector urged the public to understand the matter holistically, objectively, and proportionally by considering historical, institutional, administrative, and legal aspects. “I invite all parties, including the public and the media, to view this issue comprehensively and proportionally. What we are doing is fulfilling a state responsibility to safeguard state assets while ensuring that educational functions continue to run,” he expressed.
The Rector added that UIN Jakarta is committed to resolving this process institutionally, transparently, and accountably. “For as long as I hold the trust as Rector, I am responsible for safeguarding and managing state assets according to regulations, while ensuring that their utilization brings maximum benefits for education and society,” he concluded. (PIH Release)
