A study program is never born overnight. Behind the establishment of the Medicine Study Program lies a long journey marked by curriculum development, the fulfillment of quality standards, human resource preparation, the development of learning facilities, and the collective work of many parties. This entire process unfolded through a series of continuous stages before finally gaining legitimacy as a study program ready to deliver medical education.

A key milestone in this journey came when Indonesia's Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology issued Decree No. 490/B/O/2026 on the Permit to Open the Undergraduate Medicine Study Program and the Professional Medical Education Program on May 5, 2026.

The issuance of this decree marked an important milestone for UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta as it entered its next phase: opening admissions to its very first cohort of students. The first-batch Independent Admission Pathway (Jalur Mandiri) ran from May 29 to June 29, 2026. In the midst of this admissions process, Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Nasaruddin Umar, officially launched UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Medicine Study Program on June 4, 2026, marking the start of the institution's journey in delivering medical education with a distinctive focus on promotive and preventive approaches to musculoskeletal disease, particularly among the elderly (geriatric) population.

Selection then proceeded in stages. The first-batch Computer Based Test (CBT) was held on July 1–2, 2026, followed by subsequent selection stages in accordance with established procedures. Public enthusiasm did not wane. The second-batch Independent Admission Pathway reopened from July 9–31, 2026, while the second-batch CBT was held on Monday, August 3, 2026. This sequence of events marks the moment a long-standing effort has begun transforming into a learning space for UIN Sunan Kalijaga's very first cohort of future doctors.

For dr. Murtafiqoh Hasanah, a lecturer in UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Medicine Study Program who has been involved since the program's founding, this journey brings both gratitude and deep emotion.

“Establishing the Medicine Study Program was neither a quick nor an easy process. Many stages had to be completed, from curriculum development and meeting various academic and infrastructure requirements, to a quality assurance process that involved many parties. Seeing the new student admissions process now enter its second wave is one sign that this long effort is beginning to bear fruit,” she said.

According to her, every prospective student who applies is not merely filling an admissions quota but represents a trust that must be nurtured through the best possible education system. For that reason, UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Medicine Study Program is oriented not only toward academic achievement, but also toward shaping the character and integrity of future doctors.

“We hope their presence marks the beginning of doctors who are academically excellent, professional in their service, and grounded in strong integrity and Islamic values,” she added.

This commitment has been carried out through extensive preparation undertaken even before the study program received its operating permit. “We have developed an Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum that refers to the Indonesian Doctor Competency Standards and the latest developments in medical education. In addition, faculty resources, laboratories, learning facilities, digital learning systems, and our network of teaching hospitals and clinical learning sites have also been prepared in stages,” she said.

For the physician known affectionately as dr. Fika, a study program's readiness is also determined by the commitment of its entire academic community to continuous improvement.

“We share the same spirit of providing the best possible learning experience for our first cohort of students. There will always be a process of refinement in any new program, but we have an evaluation and quality assurance system in place to ensure that the learning process keeps developing and improving,” she explained.

She also encouraged prospective students to view their status as the first cohort not as a reason for doubt, but as a valuable opportunity to become part of history.

“Being the first cohort is not something to worry about; it is, in fact, a truly valuable opportunity. You will become part of the history behind the founding of this Medicine Study Program, and you will be the generation that builds its academic culture, scholarly traditions, and identity for the future,” she said.

She further noted that all faculty and education staff are committed to providing optimal support to students throughout their studies. Student feedback, she added, will play an important role in refining the learning system so that the quality of education can continue to improve over time.

“Come with a spirit of learning, high curiosity, discipline, and readiness to grow. Medical education is a long journey that requires hard work, collaboration, and integrity. God willing, if pursued with genuine dedication, this first cohort will graduate not only as competent physicians, but also as a source of pride for their alma mater and their community,” she concluded.

The advancement of the selection process into its second wave marks an important milestone in the journey of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Medicine Study Program. This moment marks the beginning of building a medical education ecosystem oriented toward quality, collaboration, and community service. It is from this first cohort that the foundation of the program's academic culture will be built, producing doctors expected to deliver professional, humane healthcare grounded in Islamic values, in response to the community's ever-evolving needs. (humassk)