UNU Jogja’s Faculty of Islamic Studies Holds Training for Premarital Guidance Facilitators in Collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), through its Faculty of Islamic Studies and the Center for Population and Family Welfare Studies (PUSDEKA), collaborated with the Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Special Region of Yogyakarta to organize a Training of Trainers (ToT) for Premarital Guidance Facilitators as part of the Strengthening Sakinah Family Program. The program was held in Yogyakarta from 28–30 July 2026.

The program brought together participants from Religious Affairs Offices (KUA) from various regions, including Bangkalan, Jember, Malang, Cilacap, Temanggung, and several other regencies and municipalities across Indonesia. Over the course of three days, participants received intensive training designed to strengthen their competencies as facilitators who will support and guide the development of sakinah (harmonious and resilient) families in their respective communities.

The training was officially opened in the presence of the Acting Rector of UNU Jogja, Dr. Fahmy Akbar Idries, M.Pd., and the Vice Rector for Partnerships, Business Development, and Creative Funding, Ian Agisti Dewi Rani, M.Pd., underscoring the University's commitment to strengthening the capacity of premarital guidance facilitators and supporting the national family resilience program.

In his opening remarks, H. Jaja Zakaryasi, S.Th.I., M.A., Head of the Sub-Directorate for Sakinah Family Development at Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, emphasized that building resilient families requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including higher education institutions. According to him, universities play a strategic role in strengthening family well-being through education, research, and community engagement.

“Family resilience cannot be achieved by the government alone. Collaboration with universities, community organizations, and various institutions is essential to expand and improve services for the public,” he said.

He explained that although Indonesia continues to record a high number of marriages each year, public participation in the Premarital Guidance Program (Bimwin) remains relatively low. This situation, he noted, is influenced by various factors, including changing social characteristics and the growing number of working couples who require more flexible learning arrangements. In response, the Ministry has begun implementing both offline and online models of premarital guidance.

This year, the Ministry designated 12 pilot locations to evaluate the effectiveness of these new service models and increase public participation, with Yogyakarta—hosted by UNU Yogyakarta—selected as one of the pilot sites.

Throughout the training, participants studied a wide range of topics, including service strategies, family communication, premarital psychology, family health, and religious approaches to building harmonious and resilient marriages.

The program featured several nationally certified instructors from the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Sakinah Family Development Program, namely Sugeng Widodo, S.Psi.; Rindang Farihah, S.Ag., M.A.; Nurmey Nurulchaq, S.Psi., M.A., Psychologist; Dr. Wiwin Siti Aminah Rohmawati, S.Ag., M.Ag.; Khotimatul Husna, S.Ag., M.H.; and Hj. Alissa Qotrunnada Munawaroh Wahid, S.Psi., M.Psi. Three of these facilitators are members of the academic community of UNU Jogja.

Hamdi Putra Ahmad, M.Phil., Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at UNU Jogja, stated that the training reflects the faculty’s commitment to improving the quality of family life in Indonesia by strengthening the capacity of human resources. He emphasized that universities are not only responsible for educating graduates but also serve as strategic partners of the government in addressing social challenges.

“We greatly appreciate the trust placed in UNU Jogja by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to organize this Training for Premarital Guidance Facilitators. This program represents a concrete contribution of higher education institutions to strengthening family resilience by enhancing the competencies of facilitators who will later serve communities across Indonesia. We hope this collaboration will continue and generate even greater benefits in the future,” Hamdi said.

Echoing this view, Rindang Farihah, S.Ag., M.A., Director of PUSDEKA UNU Jogja, highlighted that facilitator quality is one of the key determinants of successful premarital guidance. She explained that facilitators are expected not only to deliver learning materials but also to create meaningful dialogue that helps couples gain a comprehensive understanding of married life.

“Through this training, we aim to ensure that facilitators possess not only sound knowledge and practical skills but also a comprehensive perspective in assisting prospective couples. Family resilience cannot rely solely on religious understanding; it also requires strong communication, psychological readiness, family health awareness, and effective conflict-resolution skills. We hope all participants will become agents of sakinah family development in their respective communities,” she said.

As a university in Yogyakarta committed to community empowerment through the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, UNU Jogja’s Faculty of Islamic Studies continues to demonstrate its tangible contribution to strengthening family resilience in Indonesia. Through strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and other stakeholders, UNU Jogja remains committed to delivering academic programs that create meaningful and lasting impacts on society. [Latifah]