In an era where global healthcare systems are strained and the demand for qualified physicians is rising dramatically, Indonesia faces a dual challenge: a shortage of doctors and a stark imbalance in their distribution. Amidst this crisis, an unexpected contender has entered the arena of medical education—UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, one of the country’s oldest Islamic universities.

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, the university took a major step toward establishing its Faculty of Medicine by hosting a high-stakes visitation from the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes RI). The evaluation, held at the university’s campus in Yogyakarta, brought together top health officials, medical professionals, and academic leaders to assess whether UIN Sunan Kalijaga is ready to enter the demanding world of medical education.

What may appear to be just another bureaucratic checkpoint is, in fact, a pivotal moment—both for the university and for a country racing to meet the growing demands of its healthcare system.

Not Just Another Medical School

Rektor (Rector) Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan welcomed the Ministry’s delegation by framing the effort as the realization of a long-held institutional dream. But this isn’t just about expansion—it’s about reinvention.

“UIN Sunan Kalijaga brings a unique foundation,” Noorhaidi stated. “Our vision is to develop a Faculty of Medicine rooted not only in scientific rigor but also in Islamic ethics and spirituality. We aim to address degenerative diseases holistically—through preventive, promotive, and spiritual approaches.”

The rector’s remarks underscored a vision that seeks to challenge the traditional boundaries of medical training by integrating it with the moral compass of Islamic values. It's a direction few have dared to explore in Indonesia’s modern higher education landscape.

Government Backing, but With High Expectations

Leading the evaluation team was Anna Kurniati, Ph.D., Director of Health Workforce Provision at the Ministry of Health, who made it clear that the Ministry supports the initiative—but only with evidence of deep preparation.

“This is not a leap of faith,” Kurniati emphasized. “This faculty is being built on careful self-assessment, sound infrastructure, and strategic alignment with national needs. The shortage of physicians in Indonesia is real—and urgent.”

She noted that Indonesia's current doctor-to-population ratio lags behind global standards, a problem that has grown more severe in rural and underdeveloped regions. The solution, she argued, lies in expanding quality medical education—but with strict oversight.

The visitation is part of a broader mandate from President Prabowo Subianto, who has ordered accelerated efforts to increase the number of practicing doctors in Indonesia. However, this expansion must come without sacrificing quality, a theme repeated throughout the event.

Quality First, Distribution Next

Also in attendance was drg. Arianti Anaya, MKM, Chair of the Indonesian Health Council, who warned against simply increasing the number of graduates without considering distribution and competence.

“Most of our doctors remain concentrated in Java and Bali,” Anaya explained. “This new faculty must think beyond graduation—it must think about where its doctors will go.”

Anaya stressed that medical education must meet national competency standards and that graduates must qualify for Registration Certificates (STR)—a legal prerequisite for professional medical practice. She assured the university that the Health Council will closely monitor every stage of the faculty's development to ensure compliance and excellence.

“Launching a medical school is not just a bureaucratic process,” she said. “It’s a long-term commitment to public safety and national health.”

More Than Infrastructure—A New Ethos

The delegation toured the university’s new anatomical labs, classrooms, and supporting facilities. Presentations by Dean Prof. Dr. Heru Pradjatmo and Chair of the Establishment Committee Prof. Dr. Sri Sumarni y were joined by representatives from the Diponegoro University (UNDIP)—UIN’s academic partner in the establishment process—as well as leaders from hospitals, regional health authorities, and law enforcement medical divisions. The results of the visitation will be submitted to the Minister of Health for final review before an official recommendation is issued.

Conclusion: Faith, Science, and National Service

If approved, UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s Faculty of Medicine will become a rare model in the Muslim world: a medical institution where the integration of medical science and Islamic values is not just a slogan, but a core curriculum.

This is more than a university project. It is a statement of intent—that faith-based institutions can play a central role in solving national problems, and that the future of healthcare in Indonesia may very well rest in places once considered outside the mainstream of medical education.

In the words of one ministry official:

“We don’t just need more doctors. We need better ones—doctors who serve not just with skill, but with soul.”