Orderly academic data is an important foundation for universities in delivering professional educational services and ensuring smooth student administration. To strengthen this, the Directorate of Islamic Higher Education (PTKI) under the Directorate General of Islamic Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs, is holding a Technical Training on the National Diploma and Certificate Numbering System (PISN) and PTKI Directorate Academic Policy at Hotel Royal Darmo Malioboro, Yogyakarta, from Tuesday to Thursday, October 20-22, 2026.

The event is attended by representatives of the PTKI Directorate, the Coordinators of Private Islamic Higher Education Institutions (Kopertais) for Regions III and X, university leaders, operators from private Islamic higher education institutions (PTKIS), and representatives of accreditation bodies. It aims to improve the understanding and skills of university administrators in applying PISN, managing academic data, and meeting academic policy requirements.

In the event report, Dr. Rusdi Batun, M.Ag., Head of the Academic Evaluation Subteam at the PTKI Directorate and person in charge of the event, explained that the training is designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding, from regulations and governance to the use of the PISN application. The event also provides space for operators to raise technical problems they face at their own institutions.

The PISN material is scheduled to be delivered by resource persons from the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs, Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. The event also features Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. Istiningsih, M.Pd., and the Chair of the Accreditation Council of the Independent Accreditation Institute for Religious Higher Education (LAMGAMA), Prof. Drs. H. Muhammad Sirozi, M.A., Ph.D., to enrich perspectives on academic policy and university accreditation.

In his welcome remarks, Secretary of the Kopertais Region III Coordinator for the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Prof. Dr. H. Mahmud Arif, M.Ag., said the event is the third in a series of technical trainings held in 2026, following similar events in DKI Jakarta and Banten and in East Java.

He explained that the national diploma and certificate numbering system has developed significantly toward integrated digital management. For this reason, university leaders and operators should use this event to deepen their understanding and resolve the various problems that arise in implementation.

"This technical training opportunity must be used to the fullest. If there are any problems, however small, please raise them so that we can find solutions together," he said.

Prof. Mahmud also urged participants to pass on what they learn to lecturers and the academic community at their own institutions. In this way, capacity building does not end with the participants but also strengthens academic governance across the institution.

Meanwhile, Dr. H. Asro'i, M.Pd., Head of the Academic Development Subdirectorate at the PTKI Directorate, who attended on behalf of the Directorate and officially opened the event, stressed that managing PISN is an important part of university governance. Accurate and consistent academic data determines how smoothly diploma numbers are issued, so data errors need to be prevented from the start to avoid delaying services to students.

In his view, applying a digital system requires the active involvement of university leaders, not just operators. Leaders need to understand the condition of their data and ensure that access to academic systems is managed in an orderly, secure, and sustainable way.

"University data is institutional data, not an operator's personal data. Therefore, the data, usernames, and passwords must be known to and reported to university leaders," he said.

He added that universities need clear access management mechanisms so that changes in operators do not disrupt the continuity of services. Access to the Higher Education Database (PDDIKTI) and PISN must remain manageable and monitored by authorized parties.

Besides PISN management, Dr. Asro'i highlighted universities' readiness for accreditation and reaccreditation. Study programs whose accreditation is about to expire should begin preparing for reaccreditation right away by ensuring their PDDIKTI data is complete and accurate and that reporting is on time.

Universities should also pay attention to the sufficiency and linearity of their lecturers as required, including the match between field of expertise and homebase. In addition, strengthening research, scholarly publication, and community service must be backed by institutional commitment and adequate budgets so that the *tridharma* (the three pillars of higher education) can be carried out optimally.

Facing competition in higher education and the challenge of declining student numbers, he urged PTKIS to keep improving educational quality and strengthening their competitiveness. In his view, higher education should not be oriented only toward earning a diploma but must also shape students' competencies, mindset, character, and expertise so they can face changing times.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is also a concern in strengthening academic quality. Dr. Asro'i stressed the importance of guiding lecturers so that the use of AI in teaching and in producing academic work continues to put academic integrity and responsibility first.

"AI is a tool that can help the learning process, but its use must still come with academic responsibility. Lecturers need to make sure students' work truly reflects their learning process and abilities," he explained.

He also reminded participants of the importance of a clear division of authority between university leaders and operators. Operators support administration within their authority, while academic decisions must still go through the established mechanisms. In student transfers, for example, data management must be supported by complete documents, including transfer letters and academic records, and coordinated with university leaders.

"Operators help leaders; they do not replace leaders' authority. Every issue must be reported and coordinated with leaders," he stressed.

Through this technical training, the PTKI Directorate hopes that PTKIS leaders and operators will be better prepared to implement PISN, manage academic data accurately, and meet accreditation requirements and academic policies. Strengthening human resource capacity, system integration, and orderly data governance are expected to be part of a sustained effort to improve the service quality and competitiveness of private Islamic higher education institutions.

The event is scheduled to run through Thursday, October 22, 2026, with a series of presentations and discussions involving PTKIS leaders and operators from the Kopertais III and Kopertais X regions. (humassk)