Strengthening the quality of Islamic higher education in Asia has entered a strategic stage. The Asian Islamic Universities Association (AIUA) held a committee meeting to discuss a draft framework for an international quality assurance and accreditation system for Islamic universities. The meeting, held in a hybrid format via Zoom and in person in the Meeting Room on the second floor of the Saifuddin Zuhri Building, University Administration Center (PAU), UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, on Thursday, November 5, was an important step toward building shared quality standards aimed at international recognition.

The forum was attended by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, who is also AIUA President, leaders of state Islamic higher education institutions (PTKIN) across Indonesia, university leaders from AIUA member institutions in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Thailand, and secretary general in Malaysia, including Prof. Wan Sabri and Dr. Salina. The meeting also served as a moment of consolidation for Islamic university leaders amid the Religion, Science, and Research Olympiad (OASE) III PTKIN 2026 being held in Yogyakarta.

In his remarks, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan stressed that drafting the quality assurance framework has been an intensive, collaborative process over the past two to three months. In his view, Islamic universities need a robust quality assurance system to strengthen the Tri Dharma of higher education (teaching, research, and community service) through a scholarly approach grounded in Islamic values.

He also stressed the importance of speeding up international cooperation among Islamic universities in Asia. Collaboration that has largely been set out in formal agreements needs to be realized through concrete academic programs and institutional strengthening. Stronger international standards are also needed for Islamic universities to improve their competitiveness and reputation in global rankings, such as the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings.

One of the meeting's main agenda items was discussion of launching the Asian Islamic Quality Assurance (AIQA) as a shared reference for quality assurance and accreditation of Islamic universities. The framework is expected to serve as an instrument for building academic standards that are credible, measurable, and internationally competitive.

AIUA Task Force Chair Prof. Muhammad Sirozi, in a presentation titled “International Quality Standards and Accreditation System,” outlined the importance of building an international quality assurance and accreditation system that can strengthen the competitiveness of Islamic universities in Asia. In his view, AIUA needs to be developed not only as an association of universities but also as a platform that produces shared quality standards and an accreditation mechanism that is credible, measurable, and internationally recognized.

The AIQA design covers six main dimensions: academic excellence, research and innovation, Islamic identity and values, institutional governance, international engagement, and social impact. The framework is expected to push Islamic universities to develop academic excellence while strengthening the integration of Islamic values, global collaboration, and real contributions to society.

The AIQA framework will then be developed step by step through standards development, capacity building for assessors, pilot testing, and finally implementation and stronger international recognition. This process requires a shared commitment from all AIUA members and the active involvement of universities from various countries.

In the discussion session, participants highlighted the importance of forming an international working group with representatives from member countries to refine the draft AIQA framework. The experience of several universities that have piloted the framework is also expected to serve as material for evaluation to improve the quality of the standards being drafted.

The meeting produced several follow-up agenda items: strengthening members' collective commitment, agreeing in principle to establish an International Accreditation Board (IAB), forming an international task force, and refining the AIQA framework.

Enthusiasm for strengthening the association can also be seen in plans to expand its membership. Several universities, including UIN Mataram, UIN Malang, and Pattani University in Thailand, have expressed interest in joining. This expansion is expected to strengthen the representation of Islamic universities in Asia while opening more opportunities for cross-country academic collaboration, such as joint lectures and professor exchanges.

Through this forum, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is not only host of a strategic AIUA meeting but also takes part in advancing a globally oriented quality ecosystem for Islamic higher education. The AIQA initiative is expected to become a shared foundation for Islamic universities in Asia to improve academic quality, strengthen institutional governance, and build international reputations through sustained collaboration. (humassk)