Yogyakarta, August 25, 2025 — For thousands of new students at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the Learning Socialization Program (Sospem) 2025 marked more than just an introduction to campus life. It became a defining moment to shape their academic journey, preparing them not only to succeed in their studies but also to emerge as producers of knowledge in an age dominated by digitalization and artificial intelligence.
Opening the event virtually, Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan described Sospem as a gateway into the university’s vibrant intellectual ecosystem. “A university is a place to produce knowledge. Students are no longer passive objects of learning but active agents. Lecturers are not mere translators of knowledge but producers who guide and inspire students to become producers of knowledge themselves,” he emphasized.
Despite being held online, the atmosphere was lively and full of anticipation. The Rector, accompanied by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Istiningsih, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Prof. Dr. Erika Setyanti Kusumaputri, and other faculty leaders, officiated the opening from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities studio. Meanwhile, thousands of first-year students joined the session simultaneously via Zoom.
Prof. Noorhaidi highlighted the shift from school-based learning to student-centered learning in higher education, where students take the lead and lecturers act as facilitators, motivators, and researchers. He also warned against overreliance on artificial intelligence, noting that the real challenge today lies not in the scarcity of literature but in the flood of information. “AI must never replace logical and critical thinking. Students must position themselves as future producers of knowledge,” he urged.
To thrive, he outlined three key competencies students must develop: logical, creative, and critical thinking; strong public communication skills both in speaking and writing; and a personality rooted in faith, ethics, and integrity. “With these three foundations, students will grow into excellent graduates ready to face the challenges of their time,” he affirmed.
Following the opening, the program continued at the faculty level, with new students divided into smaller classes led by lecturers in interactive sessions. The modules covered essential topics such as self-regulation, time management, resilience, academic integrity, adaptation, goal setting, and prevention of sexual harassment on campus.
More than a mere orientation, Sospem 2025 embodied the university’s vision of fostering a holistic learning environment — one that cultivates both academic excellence and strong personal character. For the new generation of “Kalijaga Muda,” it marked the first step toward mastering the art of learning and the responsibility of contributing knowledge to society and the nation. (humassk)