Strengthening the quality of study programs is an important part of a university's efforts to maintain public trust and ensure the quality of its graduates. To support this effort, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta took part in the Briefing on Accreditation Instruments of the Independent Accreditation Institute for Religious Higher Education (LAMGAMA), which covered policies, submission mechanisms, and the assessment instruments for study program accreditation, on Thursday, October 22, in the Meeting Room on the first floor of the Prof. Saifuddin Zuhri Building, University Administration Center (PAU), UIN Sunan Kalijaga.

The event served as a strategic space for UIN Sunan Kalijaga to deepen its understanding of changes in accreditation policy and to map out the steps needed for study programs to meet quality standards in line with applicable regulations. Strengthening accreditation is also important to ensure that the institution's achievements match the real and sustained quality of its educational delivery.

In her welcome remarks, Prof. Istiningsih, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Institutional Development at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, stressed the importance of maintaining quality amid the institution's national and international achievements. In her view, ranking results should not be seen merely as numbers but must be accompanied by real evidence of academic quality and good university governance.

She also highlighted the importance of accreditation in maintaining institutional credibility and ensuring academic responsibility toward graduates. A diploma, for example, is not merely an administrative document but a form of institutional responsibility for graduates' academic competence and for orderly educational governance.

The briefing featured Prof. Dr. KH. Ahmad Thib Raya, M.A., professor of Arabic at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, and Prof. Dr. H. Najahan Musyafak, M.A., CAH., professor at UIN Walisongo Semarang. Both speakers covered LAMGAMA's policies, scope, submission mechanisms, and the characteristics of its accreditation instruments. The discussion also included adjustments to the authority over study program accreditation, the transition period from BAN-PT (the National Accreditation Board for Higher Education) to independent accreditation institutes, and the importance of ensuring that study programs fit within the established accreditation scope.

In his presentation, Prof. Najahan explained that the LAMGAMA instrument has distinctive features that reflect the character of religious higher education. The assessment integrates three main components: the integration of knowledge, religious moderation, and religious facilities and infrastructure relevant to the study program's profile and curriculum.

With this approach, the availability of facilities is assessed not only in physical terms but also in terms of how it relates to the learning process. A mosque, for example, can serve as a practice laboratory for sermon delivery and the rhetoric of religious outreach (dakwah) for relevant study programs. Likewise, other supporting facilities must show a direct contribution to graduates' attainment of competencies.

The assessment instrument is also designed around the MAKMUR framework, which stands for Mission (Misi), Accountable (Akuntabel), Quality (Mutu), and Relevant (Relevan). This framework emphasizes alignment of a study program's vision and strengths, accountable governance, a stronger internal quality culture, and the relevance of carrying out the Tri Dharma of higher education: teaching, research, and community service.

Besides understanding the instrument, study programs must pay attention to how long their accreditation remains valid and make sure their scope fits the applicable rules. In the briefing, participants received an explanation of the submission procedure through LAMGAMA's official website, including requesting an account, checking the study program scope, and downloading assessment documents and instruments.

The discussion also highlighted the need for coordination when a study program is not yet listed in the accreditation scope. Data collection and reporting are important so that scope issues can be followed up through official mechanisms. Study programs whose accreditation is nearing its end should also coordinate promptly to decide on next steps in line with applicable rules.

Through this briefing, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is expected to strengthen internal coordination in managing accreditation, improve study programs' readiness for the assessment process, and ensure that quality standards are met in a planned and sustained way.

These efforts are in line with UIN Sunan Kalijaga's commitment to developing higher education that is not only academically excellent but also Islamic in character, upholds religious moderation, and has a real impact on society. Accreditation is thus part of a continuous quality improvement process that strengthens public trust in the quality of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's education and graduates. (humassk)