A renewed commitment to integrating science, technology, and Islamic values was affirmed by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta through the launch of the Master's Program in Mathematics under the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) on Tuesday (June 9, 2026), held in the Theatrical Room on the 1st Floor of the Faculty of Science and Technology. The program marks the first Master's in Mathematics within the State Islamic Religious Higher Education (PTKIN) network, and features a concentration in Islamic Economic Mathematics, the first of its kind in Indonesia. The program aims to produce mathematics experts who excel not only in modeling and quantitative analysis, but also contribute to the development of Islamic economics and data-driven solutions to societal challenges.

The launch was held alongside a National Seminar themed “The Contribution of Mathematics in Realizing a Sustainable Islamic Economic Ecosystem,” attended by approximately 150 participants including lecturers, students, and practitioners.

In his remarks, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Norhaidi Hasan emphasized that mathematics is the primary foundation for the advancement of numerous disciplines, from physics, biology, and chemistry to psychology and economics. Developing mathematics education to the master's level is therefore a strategic step toward producing human resources capable of meeting the demands of the times.

“Mathematics is the queen of science. From mathematics, other disciplines grow and evolve. The Master's Program in Mathematics is expected to produce graduates who are not only experts in their field, but also capable of contributing to solving social, economic, and environmental problems, particularly in advancing Islamic economics in Indonesia,” said the Rector.

He noted that the development of this program is part of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's broader effort to strengthen academic contributions to sustainable Islamic economic development. With human resources equipped with advanced mathematical competencies, economic challenges can be analyzed and addressed through a more measurable and scientific approach.

Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Prof. Khurul Wardati, explained that the Master's Program in Mathematics is built around three core distinctions. First, Islamic Scientific Computing, the development of mathematical computing and modeling grounded in Islamic scientific principles. Second, Shariah Data-Based Risk Management, leveraging statistics and data science for risk analysis based on Islamic principles. Third, Quantitative Ethics, the development of algorithms and mathematical models that prioritize fairness and transparency while avoiding elements of maisir (gambling) and gharar (excessive uncertainty).

“As a university that advances the paradigm of integration and interconnection, we place ethics as the foundation in developing algorithms and mathematical models. This is the defining character of the Islamic Economic Mathematics concentration we are building,” she explained.

The Dean further noted that the program will strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration with other master's programs within FST, particularly in the areas of halal supply chain, data science, data security, and cryptography. Mathematical modeling, she emphasized, plays a vital role in supporting the strengthening of the halal ecosystem through a more measurable, data-driven quantitative approach.

The seminar featured two experts in Islamic economics and applied mathematics. The first speaker, Priyonggo Suseno, Ph.D., a lecturer at the Islamic University of Indonesia and Deputy Chairman of the Regional Board of the Islamic Economic Society (MES) of Yogyakarta, presented on “The Contribution of Mathematics in Realizing a Sustainable Islamic Economic Ecosystem.” He elaborated on how mathematics is essential for economic modeling within an Islamic context, particularly in modeling consumer behavior under moral constraints, halal versus haram margins, and sustainable financial practices.

The second speaker, Dr. Danang Teguh Qoyyimi, a lecturer at Gadjah Mada University and Head of the Statistics Studies Division of IndoMS for the Yogyakarta and Central Java region, presented on “Our Hajj Finance: Worship, Mathematics, Sustainability, and the Islamic Financial Ecosystem.” He demonstrated how mathematical, statistical, and quantitative modeling approaches play an important role in the sustainable management of hajj funds and in strengthening the national Islamic financial ecosystem.

The seminar discussion was lively and interactive, moderated by Dr. Mohammad Farhan Qudratullah, a lecturer in the Mathematics Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Participants showed strong enthusiasm, raising numerous questions that explored the intersections of mathematics with the halal industry, Islamic finance, risk management, and ethics-based technology development.

Through this launch, UIN Sunan Kalijaga hopes to further cement its position as a center of excellence in mathematical sciences, while contributing meaningfully to the development of Islamic economics and national development through an integrative and transformative scientific approach. (humassk)