Rector Inaugurates GCL to Boost Students' Entrepreneurial Spirit
FSH, UIN News Online – To enhance students' skills and insights, the Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta inaugurated The Gade Creative Lounge (GCL) as a corporate social responsibility program initiated by PT Pegadaian. Rector of UIN Jakarta Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., viewed the launch as a form of collaboration between higher education institutions and the business world. The event took place on the ground floor of the FSH building, Wednesday (10/09/2026).
The inauguration of GCL was attended by Rector of UIN Jakarta Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., Dean of FSH Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum, S.H., M.A., Professor of FSH and Member of the Supervisory Board of PT Pegadaian Prof. Dr. KH. M. Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh, M.A., Head of the Sharia Business Unit Group at PT Pegadaian Beni Martina Maulana, executive leadership of PT Pegadaian, and other invited guests. The inauguration of GCL was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the signing of an inauguration plaque by the Rector of UIN Jakarta and the Head of the Sharia Business Unit Group at PT Pegadaian.
In his remarks, Rector of UIN Jakarta Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., regarded the inauguration of GCL as an exemplary collaboration between higher education and the business sector. Matching UIN Jakarta's focus on four key strategic programs—internationalization, digitalization, green campus initiatives, and good organizational governance—the university remains deeply committed to advancing academic competence by continuously refining its curriculum to adapt to evolving labor market demands.
This progress is reflected in UIN Jakarta's various achievements, including its rank as 29th globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, the majority of study programs achieving 'Unggul' (Superior) national accreditation alongside international accreditation, ranking 238th globally in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025, successful asset integration, and an increase in UIN Jakarta's revenue exceeding IDR 1 trillion. The GCL program serves as a model for expanding partnerships with the corporate world in alignment with UIN Jakarta's efforts to enhance student competencies.
Dean of FSH Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum, S.H., M.A., explained that GCL's relevance to FSH lies in translating classroom learning into practical experience. In his presentation, he noted that students can study Fiqh Muamalah (Islamic Commercial Law) in the classroom while simultaneously putting modern trade theories into practice through the program built via this strategic partnership. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum highlighted that student adoption of this program holds great potential, as GCL offers both academic knowledge and practical work experience.
Furthermore, Professor of FSH and Member of the Supervisory Board of PT Pegadaian Prof. Dr. KH. M. Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh, M.A., also played an active role in fostering synergy between the business world and the university. Previously, Asrorun Ni'am had developed smart classroom programs and final project writing scholarships for undergraduate theses, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations focusing on Islamic fatwa themes. He expressed hope that the GCL program will continue and be utilized not only by FSH students, but also by students from other faculties seeking insights into entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Head of the Sharia Business Unit Group at PT Pegadaian Beni Martina Maulana explained that GCL can be utilized by students to host discussions and mini-seminars. In partnership with PT Pegadaian, students can also participate in activities strengthening Islamic financial literacy and inclusion. Entrepreneurial support is provided through training to become business agents or launch independent ventures while balancing their academic schedules.
“Students can earn an income while ensuring their academic studies proceed smoothly,” he said.
The ceremony continued with a tour of the GCL room, designed as a hub for discussions and cultivating students' entrepreneurial spirit. The GCL program also signifies corporate recognition of UIN Jakarta's prominent standing. Aligned with FSH study programs, GCL is expected to accelerate the attainment of Graduate Competency Standards (SKL), particularly for undergraduate and master's programs in Sharia Economic Law. Through this program, students not only study practical business and Islamic law aspects, but also experience business operations firsthand through the entrepreneurship training provided.
