OFFICIAL: UNU Jogja Becomes the First University in Indonesia Authorized to Provide Premarital Guidance for Couples

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) has officially been granted the authority to provide premarital guidance for prospective couples by the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance under the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, based on Decree No. 159 of 2026.

The authorization appoints the Faculty of Dirasah Islamiyah at UNU Jogja as the program’s implementing unit. In practice, the faculty is responsible for organizing premarital guidance sessions, ensuring facilitator quality meets competency standards, issuing certificates to participants, and reporting program implementation to the Directorate General.

Program Coordinator and Director of the Center for Population and Family Welfare Studies (Pusdeka) at UNU Jogja, Rindang Farihah, stated that as a university in Yogyakarta, UNU Jogja continues to expand its contributions to society, particularly in strengthening family resilience.

“This authorization is an important step for us to contribute directly to society, especially in preparing prospective couples with a solid understanding of building a family,” she said.

Supported by National Instructors, UNU Jogja Ready to Assist Prospective Couples

Rindang added that UNU Jogja currently has three certified national instructors and four certified facilitators who are ready to support the implementation of premarital guidance programs professionally and in accordance with established standards.

“We have three competent national instructors who can train facilitators from various institutions to provide guidance for prospective couples. In addition, we have four certified facilitators from the Directorate of Islamic Community Guidance, consisting of lecturers from the Faculty of Dirasah Islamiyah and university leadership,” she explained.

To support the development of maslahah (harmonious and beneficial) families, the program does not only focus on delivering theoretical material but also equips participants with practical skills, such as communication, conflict management, and comprehensive family planning.

The program will also involve students in its implementation. This involvement serves as a real learning space for students to develop communication, empathy, and mentoring skills, while gaining direct insight into the challenges faced by prospective couples in building a family.

“This program complements the K2+ Clinic (Family and Youth Consultation) services that have been running at UNU Jogja. Students have also been actively involved as part of the learning process and community service,” she added.

Rindang hopes that this premarital guidance program will not only serve as an educational service but also contribute to building families that are better prepared, resilient, and empowered in today’s dynamic society. [Latifah]