YOGYAKARTA – The Dean of the Faculty of Social
Sciences and Humanities (FISHUM) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Dr. Erika
Setyanti Kusumaputri, S.Psi., M.Si., was formally inaugurated as a Professor of
Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The inauguration ceremony took place
during a solemn Open Senate Meeting at the Prof. Dr. H.M. Amin Abdullah
Building (Multipurpose Hall) on Wednesday (December 17, 2025).
This pinnacle of academic achievement marks a special moment
for the FISHUM academic community, recognizing Prof. Erika's strategic role in
leading the faculty alongside her research contributions that offer practical
solutions for the higher education sector.
Highlighting the Phenomenon of Burnout in Higher
Education
In her inaugural speech titled “Strategies for Facing
Competition and Change in Higher Education: Organizational Climate,
Personality, and Spirituality (Psychological and Organizational Analysis to
Overcome Burnout),” Prof. Erika highlighted the severe challenges faced by
academics in the era of disruption.
According to her, the demands for international publication,
rapid regulatory changes, and complex administrative burdens have the potential
to trigger burnout—profound emotional exhaustion—among lecturers.
“This phenomenon has a direct impact on quality,
performance, and the integrity of work. Therefore, it is crucial to find a
solution-oriented and sustainable approach,” Prof. Erika asserted in her
oration.
Integrating Spirituality into Organizational Climate
As an expert in Industrial and Organizational Psychology,
Prof. Erika went beyond merely diagnosing the problem to offer a comprehensive
solution model. Her extensive research, conducted since 2014, concludes that
individual resilience cannot stand alone; rather, it is influenced by the
interaction between organizational climate, personality, and spirituality.
In her presentation, Prof. Erika emphasized that
spirituality—defined as the effort to find meaning, purpose, and
connection—plays a vital role as a protective factor.
“Daily spiritual activities help one detach from fear,
cultivate meaning, and allow individuals to focus on small joys, thereby
reducing the risk of mental health issues,” she explained.
She added that a positive organizational climate,
characterized by strong managerial competence and a balanced workload, must
synergize with resilient individual personality traits (hardiness) and
spiritual values to create healthy productivity.
Joint Inauguration with Other Professors
During this significant academic event, the Rector of UIN
Sunan Kalijaga also inaugurated six other Professors from various disciplines,
including Prof. Dr. Sabarudin, M.Si. (Sociology of Education), Prof. Dr. Siti
Fatonah, S.Pd., M.Pd. (Science Education), Prof. Dr. Mochamad Sodik, S.Sos.,
M.Si. (Sociology of Religious Movements), Prof. Dr. Ustadi Hamsah, S.Ag., M.Ag.
(Inter-Religious Relations), Prof. Dr. Maharsi, M.Hum. (Islam and Culture), and
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Yani Anshori, S.Ag., M.Ag. (Fiqh Siyasah).
The inauguration of Prof. Dr. Erika Setyanti Kusumaputri
adds to the distinguished roster of experts at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, while
reinforcing FISHUM's commitment to developing scholarship that is integrative
and relevant to contemporary challenges. (K.Ind)