YOGYAKARTA — UIN Sunan Kalijaga has secured 37th place globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies, marking a significant milestone for the Indonesian university on the international academic stage.

The ranking places the university among a select group of global institutions recognized for excellence in religious studies, and among the few in Indonesia and Asia to break into the global top 50 in this field.

Rector Noorhaidi Hasan said the achievement reflects not only institutional progress but also the growing global relevance of religious studies developed at the university.

“This is not merely a ranking milestone, but a recognition that our academic tradition in religious studies is competitive and relevant at the global level, contributing to international scholarly discourse,” he said.

He added that the recognition is expected to strengthen international partnerships, expand academic collaboration, and enhance global trust in the institution.

Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), Abdul Qoyum, said the ranking was the result of sustained efforts to strengthen research productivity, publication quality, and international academic networks.

“This achievement is the outcome of consistent investment in research ecosystems and global engagement,” he said, noting that QS indicators such as academic reputation, citations, and h-index reflect the university’s performance.

Beyond religious studies, the university is also strengthening other disciplines. Internal assessments indicate that law is among the most promising fields to enter future QS subject rankings, supported by growing publication output and research impact. Economics, business and management, communication, and education are also showing steady progress through increased international collaboration and improved research visibility.

The achievement underscores UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s strategic direction in integrating Islamic scholarship with modern sciences, positioning the university to contribute more broadly to global academic and societal challenges.