Scholars and intellectuals who possess adequate expertise and knowledge should not remain idle behind their desks. Many issues in Central Java await the tangible contributions of these scholars and intellectuals. This was emphasized by the Rois Syuriah of PWNU Jawa Tengah, KH. Ubaidullah Shodaqoh, during the opening remarks of the “Nahdlatul Ulama Jawa Tengah Expert Forum,” organized through a collaboration between PWNU Jawa Tengah, Lakpesdam PWNU Jawa Tengah, and the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Diponegoro University.

The inaugural forum, titled “Initiating a Roadmap for NU Jawa Tengah Institutional Development for National Welfare towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” was held on Thursday morning, February 13, 2025. The event was attended by various academics and NU figures from Central Java, including KH. Ubaidullah Shodaqoh, the Rois Syuriah of PWNU Jawa Tengah; KH. Abdul Ghaffar Rozin (Gus Rozin), the Chairman of Tanfidziyah PWNU Jawa Tengah; Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, the Dean of FISIP UNDIP; and M. Zainal Anwar, M.S.I., the Chairman of Lakpesdam PWNU Jawa Tengah. Other academics came from various public and private universities in Central Java, such as Diponegoro University (UNDIP), Semarang State University (UNNES), Semarang University (USM), Wahid Hasyim University (UNWAHAS), Walisongo State Islamic University, Sultan Agung Islamic University (Unissula), Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic University (UNISNU) Jepara, Kudus State Islamic University, and Raden Mas Said State Islamic University Surakarta. An academic from Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU) Yogyakarta also attended as a reviewer.

KH Ubaidullah Shodaqoh stated that numerous societal issues and challenges in Central Java remain unresolved, such as unemployment and low income for the lower class. “Given these conditions, NU must not be indifferent and must take on a role. Academics must be involved and willing to address the concerns of the community. This is especially true for professors who must be willing to engage with societal problems,” he firmly stated. KH Ubaidullah is the head of the Al-Itqon Islamic Boarding School in Semarang, Central Java.

The forum’s discussion was also warmly welcomed by Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin, the Dean of FISIP UNDIP. “FISIP UNDIP is committed to participating in academic discussions related to strengthening religious organizations, which are a part of civil society, and contributing positively and tangibly to social change. This aligns with UNDIP’s motto, ‘dignified and beneficial,’ ” he remarked. The event was moderated by Dr. Nur Hidayat Sardini, S.Sos., S.H., M.Si, the Head of the Department of Politics and Government at FISIP Diponegoro University, and resulted in several important recommendations for Nahdlatul Ulama as a civil society force in Indonesia. The relevance of these recommendations remains clear and must be continuously enhanced in terms of both capacity and network.