A quality standard does not stop being relevant the moment it is set. It needs to be continually tested through evaluation to make sure what was planned is genuinely being carried out in practice. For that reason, an internal audit is an important process for UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Halal Inspection Agency (LPH) to look back on how its work has been running, identify areas for improvement, and maintain consistent quality in its halal inspection services.

The internal audit was held by LPH UIN Sunan Kalijaga at the Grand Rohan Hotel Yogyakarta on Friday, August 14, 2026, with Sudarlin, M.Si., serving as internal auditor.

Secretary of LPH UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Ir. Ira Setyaningsih, said the internal audit gives the institution a space to look back on its ongoing processes. Through this audit, LPH can assess how well its activities have been carried out in line with its quality guidelines and applicable provisions, while also identifying areas that can still be improved.

“This process also certainly helps us continue maintaining our quality and holding onto the 'UTAMA' (primary) accreditation we earned two years ago,” she said.

Following the audit, the session continued with a session to align shared understanding, led by the LPH Secretary. This exercise was carried out to ensure a consistent understanding of how the audit process is carried out, including how that process is viewed from different perspectives.

For LPH, this shared understanding matters because halal inspection demands both thoroughness and consistency. Every process needs to follow the same standards so that inspection results can be fully accounted for.

The event concluded with remarks from the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. In his address, the Rector praised the achievements LPH has made while also urging that quality improvement not stop at meeting existing standards.

“LPH's role has to keep growing so it can make an increasingly meaningful contribution to the wider public. We need to make sure every halal inspection process follows a consistent standard, backed by competent auditors, so that all of this work can be carried out well,” he said.

This strengthening effort includes improving auditor competency. Auditors are expected not only to understand the technical aspects of inspection, but also to be able to communicate effectively with business operators, maintain independence, and help build a data-driven audit system.

According to the Rector, the halal inspection process also needs to be understood as a complete, integrated chain. Inspection doesn't stop at the administrative level; it must ensure that the documents submitted by business operators are properly examined and tested, so the entire process produces a fully accountable picture of a product's halal status.

“We need to be bold enough to move toward academic-based halal assurance, by integrating the various academic disciplines available at the university to support the inspection process. We need to build a halal ecosystem from upstream to downstream and safeguard the entire halal production chain. This certainly isn't easy, but we have to start thinking in that direction. LPH, with everything it has achieved so far, can become the leading sector in that effort,” he said.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Rector urged LPH not to remain simply a halal inspection body. LPH, he said, is expected to become a key actor in building the halal ecosystem, including through the development of halal science, multidisciplinary research, the digitalization of inspection processes, and the internationalization of its services.

This is where the importance of internal audits comes in. However strong current performance may be, there is always room for evaluation and innovation. An internal audit becomes a moment to identify what still needs improvement, ensure LPH's services remain aligned with public expectations, and map out strategic steps to strengthen service quality going forward.

“LPH cannot stop at simply performing halal inspections. LPH has to be able to develop its quality, drive innovation, strengthen the halal ecosystem, and continue making its mark on the global stage,” the Rector said in closing.

Building on this internal evaluation process, LPH is being pushed to build a stronger foundation for delivering credible halal inspection services while also contributing to the comprehensive development of the halal ecosystem. (humassk)