UIN Jakarta and BRIN Strengthen Research Partnership to Advance PTNBH Transformation

Jakarta, UIN Online News — UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta has reinforced its commitment to becoming a research-driven university by strengthening its strategic partnership with Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). As part of its preparation for the transition to State University with Legal Entity (PTNBH) status, the university held a high-level meeting with BRIN at the B.J. Habibie Building in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) to discuss a more impactful, adaptive, and sustainable research collaboration.

The UIN Jakarta delegation was led by Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., accompanied by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi, S.Ag., S.H., M.H., M.A., and Vice Rector for Cooperation and Institutional Development Din Wahid, M.A., Ph.D. They were welcomed by BRIN Chair Prof. Dr. Arif Satria, S.P., M.Si., alongside Deputy for Science and Technology Human Resources Edy Giri Rachman Putra.

The meeting came at a strategic moment as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions is set to expire in March 2026. Rather than simply renewing the agreement, both parties agreed to redesign their partnership to emphasize research that delivers tangible societal impact while aligning with Indonesia's evolving national research agenda.

During the discussion, Rector Asep emphasized that the collaboration should extend beyond administrative cooperation and become an essential pillar in UIN Jakarta's transformation into a PTNBH institution.

"This collaboration must not remain merely administrative. It is crucial, particularly as UIN Jakarta moves toward PTNBH status. We need research that is sustainable, productive, and capable of generating real impact," he stated.

The Rector also highlighted challenges related to research funding bureaucracy, which often limits researchers' flexibility and productivity. To address this issue, UIN Jakarta plans to invite BRIN experts to campus to introduce updated national research funding schemes and strengthen researchers' understanding of available opportunities.

Responding positively to the initiative, BRIN Chair Prof. Arif Satria reaffirmed the agency's commitment to supporting research with practical applications and measurable benefits for society. He noted that BRIN currently prioritizes research in strategic sectors such as healthcare, food security, and applied technology.

"Although applied technology research often requires a lengthy process, the end result must be simple, practical, and directly beneficial to the public," he explained.

Prof. Arif also praised UIN Jakarta's rapid academic development and cited globally renowned institutions such as Harvard University and Stanford University as examples of universities that enjoy institutional flexibility while continuing to receive strong government support for research. In line with this approach, he noted that Indonesia provides research funding for PTNBH institutions through the State University Operational Assistance (BOPTN) Research Scheme, which can reach up to Rp25 billion.

Beyond funding, BRIN expressed its readiness to expand collaboration through several strategic initiatives, including PhD by Research programs, access to BRIN's national research infrastructure and laboratories, and the development of functional researcher positions within universities under BRIN's professional guidance. Such positions would provide an alternative career pathway for academics who wish to focus primarily on research rather than conventional teaching responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Science and Technology Human Resources Edy Giri Rachman Putra encouraged greater participation by UIN Jakarta researchers in BRIN's collaborative projects, particularly in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and Islamic studies. He remarked that BRIN has long anticipated UIN Jakarta's transition to PTNBH status, viewing the university as a strategic partner capable of making substantial contributions to Indonesia's national research ecosystem.

As a concrete follow-up, both institutions agreed to continue discussions involving BRIN's deputy offices to formulate a more structured, measurable, and sustainable framework for future research cooperation. The strengthened partnership is expected to accelerate UIN Jakarta's transformation into a research-intensive university while expanding the societal impact of its scholarly work at both the national and international levels.