The Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI) at UIN Sunan Kudus, Dr. Ekawati Rahayu Ningsih, S.H., M.M., visited the IAEI secretariat office on Monday, April 27, 2026. She accompanied a group consisting of Vice Dean II Dr. Suhadi, S.E., M.S.A., Vice Dean III H. Shobirin, M.Ag., and Hamim from the administration team of the Zakat and Waqf Management Study Program. The group was received directly by the Central Executive Board, represented by M. Hasan Gaido, Chair of the Halal Industry Development and Hajj Ecosystem Committee of IAEI, along with the Head of the Secretariat. This visit is expected to be the starting point for collaboration between FEBI UIN Sunan Kudus and IAEI, while also opening the door for the university to join the national Islamic economic network, a previously unaffiliated institution.
Ekawati stated that the visit aims to strengthen the university's institutional capacity and improve student quality. He also acknowledged that UIN Sunan Kudus has not yet been part of the IAEI, and he hoped this visit would be a concrete step toward initiating collaboration between the campus and IAEI, starting with the establishment of an IAEI commission on campus as a foundation for institutional engagement.
During the meeting, M. Hasan Gaido enthusiastically welcomed the visit and expressed his hope that the existing collaboration would not remain merely a discussion. He hoped that the most concrete step that could be taken immediately would be the establishment of an IAEI commission at UIN Sunan Kudus. The IAEI also outlined the requirements for establishing a commission and introduced the organization's management structure under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., who also serves as the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs and the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque.
Hasan Gaido also introduced the organization's flagship programs, including the development of the halal industry and the Hajj ecosystem, which he personally leads. Regarding the halal industry, Hasan Gaido emphasized that its potential is far greater than many have previously assumed. "Halal can be a game changer for Indonesia, because halal is no longer just a religious matter but has become a lifestyle," he said. This perspective also reinforces the relevance of the synergy between IAEI and FEBI UIN Sunan Kudus, given that both operate in the same ecosystem.
Beyond institutional agendas, Hasan Gaido also touched on an issue currently of concern to many in higher education: the difficulty of university graduates entering the workforce. According to him, this is not simply a matter of limited job opportunities, but also a matter of student preparedness. Universities need to start preparing students as adaptive and innovative agents of change. He specifically emphasized the importance of mastering digital technology, including artificial intelligence, as a competency that can no longer be ignored by the younger generation seeking to compete in today's era.
This meeting is expected to be the starting point for a more structured and impactful collaboration between IAEI and UIN Sunan Kudus, particularly in strengthening the campus-based sharia economic ecosystem in Indonesia. With UIN Sunan Kudus joining the IAEI network, the synergy between the academic world and Islamic economic practitioners at the national level is expected to be strengthened and expanded.
