UIN Saizu and UI GreenMetric Collaborate to Promote Religion-Based Sustainability Integration
PURWOKERTO, April 21, 2026 – Strengthening the momentum of global climate action, UI GreenMetric partnered with State Islamic University Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri (UIN Saizu) Purwokerto to host a national seminar on Monday, April 20, 2026. Titled “Grounding Theology, Preserving Tradition: Islamic Ecotheology Perspectives within the Framework of Banyumasan Local Wisdom,” the event marks a strategic step toward integrating religious spiritual values into the measurable standards of sustainable universities. The seminar, held at the UIN Saizu Auditorium and attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Ridwan, M.Ag. and hundreds of students, emphasized that higher education institutions can no longer act in isolation when facing the urgent challenges of climate change.
During the discussion, Prof. Dr. H. Suwito, M.Ag., a professor of Environmental Sufism at UIN Saizu, highlighted that from an Islamic perspective, the universe is a living spiritual dimension that serves as a witness to human behavior. He asserted that because every inch of land will eventually report human deeds, the integration of religious tenets and science is a moral necessity for responsible environmental stewardship. This sentiment was echoed by UI GreenMetric Chairperson Dr. Vishnu Juwono, S.E., M.I.A., who challenged the academic community to maintain strict consistency between classroom theory and real-world practice. Dr. Vishnu noted that as a community constantly monitored by society, universities must demonstrate their integrity by ensuring campus environments reflect the sustainability they teach.
Drawing on UI GreenMetric’s 16 years of experience in assessing thousands of universities worldwide, Dr. Vishnu warned that global progress remains worrying due to increasing climate pressures. He stressed that environmental management, particularly waste management, must be viewed as a vital investment for the future that requires meticulous planning and systemic execution rather than fragmented plans. This vision aligns with UI GreenMetric’s role as an engine of impact, utilizing a rigorous methodology to push universities toward redesigning their systems for the sake of global preservation.
As a concrete step forward, UI GreenMetric plans to involve experts from religious universities to enrich its global assessment standards. Dr. Vishnu expressed interest in collaborating with Prof. Suwito to formulate new indicators or sub-indicators centered on environmental spirituality. By supporting the ecotheology spirit championed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, this initiative seeks to position spiritual values as a primary driver for an inclusive and equitable sustainability transformation throughout Indonesia.
Written by Muhammmad Dito Rizki Suprapto - Media Relations Intern of UI GreenMetric
Edited by Riska Putri Hariyadi - Communications Coordinator of UI GreenMetric
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