Yogyakarta, June 26, 2025 – The Master of Social Welfare (MKS) Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga has officially established a collaborative partnership with Mitra Kesejahteraan Umat Amil Zakat Institution (LAZ MKU) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, June 26, 2025. The MoU was signed by the Head of the MKS Program, Dr. Muh Ulil Abshar, and the Director of LAZ MKU, Supriyadi Jodhi, at the UIN Sunan Kalijaga campus.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the roles of academia and practitioners in advancing zakat management and community economic empowerment. The MoU outlines areas of cooperation including joint research on zakat fund management models, empowerment programs for micro-entrepreneurs, and training sessions for heads of BMT (Baitul Maal wat Tamwil) units across Indonesia. Dr. Muh Ulil Abshar emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the program’s mission to develop research-based social intervention models and strategic cross-sector partnerships. Meanwhile, LAZ MKU views the partnership as a key step toward integrating academic approaches into more impactful and effective zakat management practices, particularly in supporting grassroots economic development.

As a follow-up to the MoU signing, both parties agreed to organize further meetings to formulate concrete actions, which will be formalized through a Cooperation Agreement (PKS). These discussions will focus on program design, implementation mechanisms, and success indicators for each initiative.

This collaboration is expected to serve as a significant milestone in strengthening a sustainable social welfare ecosystem grounded in zakat and institutional economic development. Through the synergy between the MKS Program and LAZ MKU, both parties aim to establish a long-term, impactful model that delivers real benefits to the community.