FSH News, German - The Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum, SH, MA, MDC, participated in the Workshop on the Development of Green Campus Policies and Programs for Higher Education Leaders held in Germany from November 16–22, 2024. The main activities took place over five days, from Monday to Friday, November 18–22, 2024. A total of 13 participants attended, representing UIN Jakarta (7 participants), UIN Imam Bonjol (5 participants), and IAIN Kudus (1 participant).

During the program, participants visited four universities, three study centers, two libraries, and two urban forests. The universities visited included Humboldt University, Eberswalde University, Freie University, and Potsdam University. The study centers explored were the Centre for Asian and African Studies, the Centre for Islamic Education and Theology of Practice, and the Centre for Muslim Society and Culture.

The library visits featured the Berlin National Library, which houses a collection of manuscripts including Nusantara manuscripts, and the Humboldt Library. Additionally, participants visited the Potsdam City Park and the Tropical Garden at Potsdam University. The workshop also provided participants with practical insights, including the management of student canteens at Humboldt University and Eberswalde University, as part of the green campus initiative.

Participants gained valuable insights from experts and university leaders on implementing green campus policies. They also had hands-on experience in managing various aspects, including business processes such as canteen operations, which served as an inspiring model for canteen development at UIN Jakarta.

An important agenda introduced during the workshop was the Tri Dharma of higher education, focusing on education, research, and community service. The following are some of the key outcomes from the workshop that require further development:

1. Cooperation Agreements

   • Collaboration agreements were established with four universities and three study centers.
   • These agreements will be followed up by the International Cooperation Service Centre, while specific discussions and implementation can be handled by individual faculties.

2. Academic Dialogues

   • The Dean of FSH, Muhammad Maksum, engaged in direct discussions with:
     • Prof. Tuba Isik (Professor of Islamic Education) and Prof. Serdar Kurnaz (Professor of Islamic Law), agreeing to collaborate on seminars, research, and other academic activities.
     • Prof. Isabel Thora, Director of the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Culture and Societies, who expressed willingness to establish academic cooperation.
   • Associate Professors Amanda and Esie Hanstein from the Centre for Asian and African Studies also demonstrated openness to future collaborations.

This workshop highlighted not only the importance of promoting green campus initiatives but also the potential for strengthening academic partnerships to achieve mutual benefits.

Amanda is fluent in Indonesian and has become "Indonesianised" through her experiences. Meanwhile, Esie is an Indonesian citizen who has spent over 20 years working in Germany. The Faculty of Sharia and Law (FSH) will follow up on these meetings by organizing the International Seminar Series, the International Conference on Law and Justice, and joint research initiatives.

In addition, the workshop highlighted the importance of hygienic, affordable, and integrated canteen management. From the presentation by the head of the Humboldt University canteen, it was revealed that the canteen’s operational costs are not solely covered by food sales but also subsidized by the government. This subsidy ensures that food prices remain affordable, making the canteen appealing to both students and lecturers. Despite the low prices, food quality is maintained through strict controls, including health and taste standards. UIN Jakarta can adopt this canteen model to create a campus dining environment that is cost-effective, high-quality, and conveniently located. By doing so, students and lecturers will be more inclined to choose the UIN canteen for their daily meals.

Green Campus Management, several aspects of green campus implementation from the four campuses can be replicated at UIN Jakarta. These include the use of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient electronics. For example, most of the lights on campus are equipped with motion sensors. The use of plastic is nearly nonexistent, except for bottled drinks, and waste has been properly segregated into organic and non-organic categories.

The most crucial factor in green campus management is fostering awareness about cleanliness and the importance of disposing of waste in the designated bins. One memorable experience shared by the Indonesian delegation involved smoking together with university lecturers. In this instance, everyone was required to walk a few steps to properly dispose of their cigarette butts in a trash bin. This practice contrasts sharply with the more common behavior in Indonesia, where cigarette butts are often discarded on the ground without concern. By adopting such practices, UIN Jakarta can contribute to a cleaner, more environmentally conscious campus.

The Implementation of a Sustainable Development Programme, Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations (UN), and German universities have successfully incorporated these goals into their policies and management. For instance, the Centre for Islamic Education and Theology of Practice, chaired by Prof. Tuba Isik, teaches ablution practices with an SDGs approach, particularly focusing on water conservation.

Eberswalde University and Potsdam University serve as excellent examples of integrating environmental sustainability into campus life. These universities utilize forests and prioritize their conservation as part of their campus initiatives. Additionally, Potsdam University has developed a mini tropical forest on its campus, further promoting environmental education and sustainability. By adopting similar strategies, UIN Jakarta can contribute to the global effort in achieving the SDGs while fostering a more sustainable campus environment.[MM]