On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FIS) at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) hosted a pivotal workshop to evaluate and revise its curriculum in light of new national education regulations. Held in the Smart Meeting Room of the Faculty A building, the event brought together key academic figures to assess the structure of the master’s program and propose future directions for Islamic studies education at UIII. The session was chaired by the Dean of FIS, Prof. Yanwar Pribadi, Ph.D., and moderated by Zezen Zaenal Mutaqin, S.J.D. It featured a keynote presentation from curriculum expert Prof. Muhammad Zuhdi, M.Ed., Ph.D.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Yanwar Pribadi underscored the significance of the moment. “The Faculty of Islamic Studies has taken the initiative to address curriculum reform in accordance with the new policy. FIS is the first faculty to organize a curriculum workshop,” he stated. His words highlighted the faculty’s proactive stance in anticipating regulatory changes, particularly in response to the Ministerial Regulation (Permendikbudristek) No. 53 of 2023, which mandates that all master’s degree programs must adjust to a new credit system of 54 credits.
Also speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Amsal Bakhtiar, M.A., offered broader reflections on the faculty’s development. “FIS has been running for five years and must now undergo evaluation. We want Islamic Studies at UIII to become a global reference point. What we highlight is Indonesian Islam—wasatiyya as its defining character,” he said. His statement reinforced the faculty’s commitment to promoting a moderate, inclusive vision of Islam rooted in Indonesia’s unique context.
Throughout the workshop, faculty members and invited experts engaged in in-depth discussions on proposed curriculum changes. One major point was the recommendation to establish a separate degree program for the Takhassus concentration, independent of the regular Islamic Studies master’s track. Additionally, the team discussed the development of a new undergraduate program in Digital Islam, reflecting the increasing importance of technology in religious life and discourse.
In his presentation, Prof. Muhammad Zuhdi emphasized the importance of adopting an Outcome-Based Education (OBE) approach. He explained that OBE prioritizes competencies and real-world readiness over rigid academic pathways. “Universities today must align with the OBE framework, which emphasizes the quality of graduates who can be absorbed into the workforce,” he explained. He added that the final graduation project need not always be a traditional thesis; it could take alternative forms such as student films, creative projects, or applied research.
The workshop also explored the integration of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and the potential use of partner degree modules from international institutions like the University of Edinburgh and SOAS. These elements, participants noted, could enrich FIS’s curriculum while fostering global academic collaboration. However, the faculty also emphasized the need to consult with PDDikti and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to ensure credit equivalency and avoid duplication.
During internal deliberations, FIS faculty discussed a range of academic policy updates, including revisions to the academic handbook. One recommendation was to clarify and distinguish the study durations between the Master’s and Doctoral programs. Another key decision was to establish a minimum IELTS score of 6 (or equivalent) as a language requirement for graduate students.
Course structure was also addressed in detail. The revised curriculum proposes four foundational courses in the first semester and five in the second, while the third and fourth semesters focus on applied research and thesis development. Electives—such as Comparative Religion, Decolonizing Islamic Studies, Islam, Humanitarianism, and Environmentalism, and Digital Islam: AI and Technological Futures—were proposed to align with contemporary global themes. The faculty aims to finalize and implement the updated curriculum by August 2025, ensuring timely compliance with national standards and advancing its educational mission.
This curriculum reform workshop reflects the Faculty of Islamic Studies’ dedication to academic excellence and relevance. By combining classical Islamic knowledge with forward-thinking educational strategies, FIS continues to lead in redefining Islamic higher education—placing Indonesia’s rich, moderate Islamic tradition at the forefront of global scholarship.
