For the first time, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has opened a vocational education program. This step was marked by the issuance of Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia No. 1026 of 2026 on the Operating Permit for the Diploma IV Study Program in Halal Production Technology. The decree was signed by Director General of Islamic Education Prof. Suyitno on August 3, 2026.
The new study program was introduced through a Soft Launch and Public Briefing on the D4 Halal Production Technology Program, held in the 2nd Floor Dean's Office Meeting Room of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Faculty of Science and Technology on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The event was attended by heads of madrasahs and vocational high schools (SMK) from across the Yogyakarta Special Region.
Also present were Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Institutional Development Prof. Dr. Istiningsih, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Khurul Wardati along with her Vice Deans, deans from various other faculties, and the heads and secretaries of study programs within the Faculty of Science and Technology. Dr. Imelda Fajriati, Chair of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Halal Center, was also in attendance.
In her remarks, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Institutional Development Prof. Dr. Istiningsih said the launch of this study program is part of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's ongoing journey to expand the development of knowledge without leaving behind its foundation in religious scholarship.
"UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta remains firmly grounded in religious knowledge, while along the way also developing the STEM fields," she said.
STEM refers to an educational approach encompassing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. At UIN Sunan Kalijaga, STEM development is spearheaded in part by the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST). Relatively young, having been established alongside the institution's transformation from IAIN to UIN, FST has grown into one of the pillars strengthening science and technology scholarship on campus. This growth is reflected, among other things, in international ASIIN accreditation achieved by a number of its study programs.
This capacity has become one of the foundations for UIN Sunan Kalijaga's development of science- and technology-based vocational education through the D4 Halal Production Technology Study Program.
Prof. Isti explained that developing Halal Production Technology is a step directly relevant to the needs of Indonesian society. Beyond being part of the Ministry of Religious Affairs' broader ecosystem, the need for a workforce with expertise in halal production is seen as increasingly important.
The readiness of facilities and infrastructure, as well as networks with the business and industrial sectors, Prof. Isti continued, form an important part of developing this vocational study program. The networks the Faculty of Science and Technology has already built can support students' hands-on training while also strengthening graduates' readiness to enter the workforce.
"Graduates of this Diploma IV program will be equipped not only with skills, but also with competencies relevant to the needs of the job market. This gives them the capacity to meet the substantial current demand within the halal industry," she said.
Opening this study program was not a quick process. Dean of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Faculty of Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Khurul Wardati, said preparations for the program have been underway since 2021.
Throughout the process, the program's name went through several changes. It was initially designed under the name Halal Technology, then Industrial Technology, before finally being established as Halal Production Technology.
"Once the operating permit was issued, the Faculty of Science and Technology moved quickly to hold this briefing. We invited Islamic senior high schools (Madrasah Aliyah) because they fall under the same Ministry of Religious Affairs, while we included vocational high schools (SMK) because this study program is a form of vocational education closely connected to vocational schooling," Prof. Khurul said.
As the Vice Rector also noted, universities and schools are like two sides of the same inseparable coin. For that reason, a university should never be seen as an ivory tower standing apart from the rest of education. Collaboration with madrasahs and vocational high schools is essential for building continuity across levels of education, while also expanding access and opportunity for graduates to continue on to higher education.
The opening of the D4 Halal Production Technology program further broadens UIN Sunan Kalijaga's educational scope. This step comes in the same year that UIN Sunan Kalijaga opened its Medicine Study Program, reflecting the university's growing range of academic fields developed to meet the needs of society.
This new study program is now open to prospective students. Official registration is open through the Independent Selection Pathway based on UTBK-SNBT scores, requiring applicants to submit their 2025 or 2026 UTBK results. Prospective students who have taken the 2026 Independent Pathway Science CBT can also apply by submitting their participant card. Registration opened on August 8 and will close on August 17, 2026.
The launch of the Halal Production Technology Study Program marks UIN Sunan Kalijaga's entry into a new area of vocational education, bringing together STEM development with Islamic values. From Yogyakarta, this study program is aimed at preparing competent halal-industry talent ready to take part in the industry's continued growth. (humassk)