The Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, was elected by acclamation as President of the Asian Islamic Universities Association (AIUA) for the 2026–2028 term at the 15th Annual General Meeting, held at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta from 23 to 25 June 2026. This mandate marks a significant milestone, not only for UIN Sunan Kalijaga, but for Islamic higher education in Indonesia as a whole, placing an Indonesian scholar at the helm of a network of approximately 90 Islamic universities from across Asia.

Prof. Noorhaidi's election signifies more than a change of organizational leadership. The trust placed in him by AIUA members reflects a recognition of his academic track record, leadership capacity, and the international networks he has built over many years.

AIUA is an association of Islamic universities across the Asian region dedicated to strengthening academic collaboration, research, the exchange of academic communities, and the improvement of Islamic higher education quality. In the context of an increasingly complex global transformation, the organization serves as a strategic space for formulating the contribution of Islamic universities to sustainable development, peace, and the advancement of knowledge.

The trust now entrusted to Prof. Noorhaidi is the product of a long journey in academia and leadership. In international academic circles, Prof. Noorhaidi is recognized as one of Indonesia's most significant scholars in the field of contemporary Islamic studies. He is listed among the top 2 percent of the world's most influential scientists, an international distinction awarded on the basis of the impact of his scientific publications and the citation of his academic works.

His scholarly foundation was built through master's and doctoral studies in the Netherlands, an experience that shaped an academic perspective firmly rooted in the tradition of Islamic scholarship while remaining open to global intellectual developments. Since then, he has been active in building cross-national academic collaborations and participating in international forums.

His leadership trajectory has developed progressively. At UIN Sunan Kalijaga, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law, before being entrusted with leading the Postgraduate Program as its Director. His career continued to broaden when he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at the International Islamic University Indonesia (UIII), before returning to UIN Sunan Kalijaga as Rector.

It is this combination of scientific reputation, experience leading higher education institutions, and an extensive international academic network that is seen as the key asset he brings to the leadership of AIUA for the 2026–2028 period.

Prof. Noorhaidi's election also marks the continuation of AIUA's trust in Indonesian leadership. He receives the baton from Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, who served as AIUA President for the 2024–2026 term, a handover that demonstrates the sustained strategic role of Indonesian Islamic universities in shaping the direction and collaboration of Islamic higher education across Asia.

The AIUA 2026 series of events opened with an international seminar titled “Transforming Islamic Higher Education for Advancing Global Peace, Resilience, and Inclusive Development.” The seminar featured former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, alongside academics and leaders of Islamic universities from various countries. Discussions centered on the transformation of Islamic higher education, the strengthening of cross-national research, curriculum innovation, and the contribution of Islamic universities to peace and inclusive development.

The Annual General Meeting subsequently served as a forum for evaluating the organization's program of work, drafting the AIUA agenda for the 2026–2027 period, and electing new leadership, attended by delegates from approximately 90 member universities.

In his inaugural address as AIUA President, Prof. Noorhaidi affirmed that the organization he now leads must serve as a driving force for improving the quality of Islamic higher education across Asia.

“This gathering will become a platform for enhancing research quality and international recognition. With 90 members across Asia, AIUA has tremendous potential to produce outstanding research and graduates of noble character who are ready to contribute to civilization,” he said.

He noted that the strength of AIUA lies not merely in the size of its membership, but in its capacity to build collaboration that yields tangible impact for the development of knowledge and the advancement of society. His leadership will therefore be directed toward strengthening collaborative research, increasing the mobility of lecturers and students, developing joint scientific publications, and broadening international recognition for Islamic universities across Asia.

For Prof. Noorhaidi, leading AIUA is not about a single president, it is about the ability of all members to move together under a shared vision. He believes the organization's strength lies in the cross-national collaboration that has been built over time.

On this basis, he expressed his appreciation to all AIUA members, and in particular to the Secretariat General based at Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) in Malaysia.

“Thank you to all members, especially the Secretary General at USAS Malaysia, who have been the backbone of this organization. Without collective cooperation and commitment, AIUA would not have grown to what it is today,” he said.

The gathering of Islamic university leaders from across Asia produced agreements to strengthen cross-national collaboration, improve the quality of joint research, and expand the international recognition of Islamic universities as part of a collective response to global challenges.

For UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the mandate now carried by Prof. Noorhaidi represents far more than the personal achievement of a rector. It reflects the increasingly strong position of the university within the landscape of international Islamic higher education and reaffirms the contribution of Indonesia's Islamic universities as strategic partners in building the future of education, knowledge, and civilization across Asia. (humassk)