The Faculty of Da’wah and Communication at Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN) Yogyakarta has developed a comprehensive research and community service road map for the 2025–2030 period. The planning process took place during a plenary meeting held at the Grand Rohan Hotel, Yogyakarta, on Wednesday–Thursday, 18–19 June 2025.

The event was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Arif Maftuhin, M.Ag., M.AIS, who underscored the importance of strategic direction and thematic focus in advancing the university’s tridharma (three pillars of higher education: education, research, and community service). The newly formulated road map is expected to serve as a guiding framework for each study program in formulating research and community service initiatives that are measurable, relevant, and socially impactful.

Prof. Dr. Pajar Hatma Indra Jaya, Vice Dean I and Chair of the Committee, explained that the road map development began with a review of the faculty’s institutional vision, followed by an evaluation of the previous road map’s implementation. This evaluation involved analyzing trends in student theses and faculty publications over the past five years. The findings were then used to identify strategic issues that will shape the faculty’s academic direction for the next five years.

Unlike previous approaches, the current framework centers on a single overarching theme rather than annually shifting topics. This umbrella theme serves as a foundation for more specific and actionable sub-themes to guide research and community engagement across study programs.

This road map is also designed to highlight the unique identity and academic character of the Faculty of Da’wah and Communication, distinguishing it from similar faculties nationwide, while aligning its academic priorities with national policies issued by the central government and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Over the two-day session, heads and secretaries of study programs presented draft research and community engagement themes that had been previously developed through internal discussions involving faculty members, alumni, and students. These drafts were refined in an open plenary discussion led by Prof. Pajar and featuring the Dean as the keynote resource person.

All final drafts of the road map will be submitted by 11 July 2025 to be ratified through an official Dean’s Decree. The finalized road map will be disseminated during a lecturer consignment meeting prior to the start of the new semester in August and will serve as the basis for thesis topics and scientific seminar agendas within the faculty.

One of the key issues raised during the forum was the evolving media landscape, which is seen as a double-edged phenomenon—causing social disruption on one hand, while also opening up opportunities for innovation on the other. This was encapsulated in the main theme: "Media and Social Disruption: From Crisis to Innovation."

This theme was deemed critical as it reflects pressing societal challenges in Indonesia, such as rising divorce rates, information inequality, and identity crises fueled by the digital information age. At the same time, the media presents new avenues for social intervention and technology-driven empowerment.

In the area of community engagement, the faculty identified several priority issues: strengthening family counseling services, enhancing media literacy, promoting ecotheological approaches to environmental concerns, and implementing community-based poverty reduction strategies.

“Community service must respond to real societal needs, not merely function as symbolic activity. This is where the values of participatory and transformative da’wah must take shape,” emphasized the faculty. (Nid-Kh)