Amid ongoing efforts to broaden access to quality higher education, two State Islamic Higher Education Institutions have chosen to move forward together. UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and UIN Sultan Aji Muhammad Idris Samarinda (UINSI) jointly held a Collaborative New Student Admissions) Outreach Program as part of their shared endeavor to present a picture of PTKINs that are increasingly advanced, open, and relevant to the needs of the times.

Held at the Rectorate Building of UINSI Samarinda on Tuesday (23/6/2026), the two institutions joined hands to introduce a range of higher education opportunities while deepening public understanding of the current developments within PTKINs.

At the event, attended by representatives from approximately 50 senior Islamic high schools and equivalent institutions, the Vice Rector for General Administration, Planning, and Finance of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Prof. Moh. Sodik, affirmed that PTKINs today carry a mandate that extends well beyond their identity as religious education institutions.

This mandate, he explained, is reflected in the PTKIN intellectual framework, which rests on three foundational pillars. The first is Hadharah An-Nash the study of religious texts. Every student at a PTKIN is equipped with a thorough grounding in Islamic studies, encompassing the Qur'an, Tafsir (exegesis), and Hadith. Through this foundation, Prof. Sodik argued, education at PTKINs aims not only to produce intellectually capable graduates, but also spiritually grounded ones.

“Every student is equipped with a strong understanding of Islam, from the Qur'an and Tafsir to Hadith. Yet the ultimate goal is not merely to produce academically brilliant graduates, but whole human beings: people of integrity and noble character (akhlakul karimah),” he said.

Many of the nation's problems, he noted, stem not from a lack of intelligence but from a deficit of character and spirituality.

“Many intelligent people fall into corrupt practices. Education must therefore go beyond the transfer of knowledge, it must also shape character and instil life values,” he said.

The second pillar is Hadharah Al-'Ilmi scientific inquiry. Through this pillar, Prof. Sodik continued, PTKINs are encouraged to continuously develop knowledge and maintain academic quality in line with both national and international standards.

This commitment is reflected in the rigorous quality assurance systems in place at both institutions. UIN Sunan Kalijaga and UINSI Samarinda regularly undergo accreditation and evaluation processes by the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education as well as various Independent Accreditation Bodies. Internally, academic quality oversight and development are further supported by each institution's own Quality Assurance Unit.

“The third and final pillar, Hadharah Al-Falsafah, philosophical inquiry sees PTKINs cultivating a strong philosophical foundation. This encompasses the philosophy of Pancasila, the thought of the nation's founding figures (muassis), the philosophy of the martyrs, cultural philosophy, and ecotheology,” he said.

As the host institution, the Head of General and Academic Affairs at UINSI Samarinda, Ahmad Mahyuddin, offered the perspective that higher education need not always be defined by zero-sum competition.

“Universities may compete, but they need not be rivals. Today, we show that institutions of higher learning can collaborate, share space, and together offer the best opportunities to the younger generation,” he said.

Mahyuddin explained that the collaboration between UINSI Samarinda and UIN Sunan Kalijaga aims to expand access to higher education for secondary school graduates, particularly those in East Kalimantan.

He also highlighted the long-standing historical ties between the two institutions, many UINSI lecturers are alumni of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Furthermore, the current Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, is a native son of Kalimantan who has gone on to make his mark in academic circles at both the national and international level.

PTKINs, Mahyuddin noted, have undergone a profound transformation. State Islamic universities are no longer merely an alternative option; they are increasingly becoming a first-choice destination for higher education.

This transformation is marked by improvements in academic quality, national and international accreditation, and sustained efforts to create campus environments that are safe and inclusive. PTKINs have also established dedicated centers for the prevention and handling of sexual violence, as part of their commitment to providing a learner-friendly environment for students.

Moving into the outreach session, participants' attention was drawn to the flagship program on offer at both institutions. Among the various highlights, the presence of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Medical Study Program proved a particular draw for students beginning to plan their educational futures.

The Head of Admissions at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Handini, M.I.Kom., explained that the faculty has been designed with an approach that integrates modern medical science, Islamic values, and an interdisciplinary perspective.

“We aim to produce the doctors of tomorrow, graduates who are not only clinically excellent, but who also possess empathy, integrity, and the ability to be problem solvers for their communities,” she said.

She added that the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Faculty of Medicine is supported by modern laboratories, a network of teaching hospitals, and a range of admissions pathways accessible to students from across Indonesia, including those from East Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, the Head of the PMB Centre at UINSI Samarinda, Dr. Muhammad Ridho Muttaqien, M.Pd., presented the academic strengths and self-development opportunities offered by UINSI as one of the leading Islamic higher education institutions in eastern Indonesia. (humassk)