Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) has intensified preparations for the establishment of its Faculty of Medicine by conducting comprehensive laboratory functionality tests and technical training—an essential step in laying the foundation for high-quality medical education.

Beginning on February 2, 2026, Indonesia’s oldest State Islamic Higher Education Institution (Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Islam Negeri—PTKIN) launched an intensive programme to test laboratory systems and train technical staff on the operation of medical education equipment. The initiative aims to ensure that all facilities are fully operational and aligned with academic and safety standards prior to the enrolment of future medical students.

The laboratory infrastructure prepared for the Faculty of Medicine spans core areas of medical science, including Anatomy, Biochemistry and Clinical Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Physiology, Histology and Anatomical Pathology, Biomolecular Science, Pharmacology, Clinical Skills, Public Health, and Bioethics.

Designed to meet contemporary medical education standards, the facilities also reflect UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s distinctive academic orientation, with a strong emphasis on preventive and promotive healthcare, geriatrics, and musculoskeletal health.

A total of 12 laboratory technicians, specifically recruited to support the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine, participated in the training. The programme covered technical operation of equipment, laboratory safety protocols, and sustainable maintenance practices, ensuring long-term reliability and optimal performance of facilities.

Beyond technical competence, the training underscored the strategic role of laboratory staff as academic partners to faculty members, supporting students during practical sessions and research activities.

“Laboratories are the backbone of medical education,” said Dr. Murtafiqoh Hasanah, a prospective faculty member. “Advanced equipment must be matched with highly competent human resources. The readiness of laboratory staff is therefore a critical determinant of educational quality.”

Through systematic laboratory testing and capacity-building initiatives, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is positioning its future Faculty of Medicine to operate professionally, safely, and in accordance with rigorous academic standards.

The initiative signals that the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine is not merely an administrative undertaking, but a carefully planned educational project—integrating physical infrastructure, skilled personnel, and institutional commitment. In doing so, UIN Sunan Kalijaga demonstrates its readiness to collaborate with government stakeholders in developing a new generation of professional physicians for Indonesia.