Nasrul Syakur Chaniago, Amiruddin Siahaan, Abdurrahman Abdurrahman

Transforming Islamic Higher Education Toward World-Class Universities: An Integrated Model of Islamization, Digitalization, and Internationalization

Introduction

Transforming islamic higher education toward world-class universities: an integrated model of islamization, digitalization, and internationalization. Explore an integrated model for transforming Islamic higher education into world-class universities. Focuses on Islamization, digitalization, and internationalization for academic excellence.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the process of institutional innovation in transforming an Islamic university into a world-class institution through the integration of Islamization, digitalization, and internationalization. A qualitative approach with a naturalistic case study design was employed at an Islamic university. Data were collected through observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, and subsequently analyzed using an interactive model comprising data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that institutional innovation is a continuous governance transformation process built upon three interacting pillars. Islamization, through the Wahdatul 'Ulum paradigm, strengthens epistemological integration and establishes academic and institutional identity. Digitalization drives governance modernization, enhances academic services, and facilitates data-driven decision-making. Meanwhile, internationalization bolsters institutional capacity through the development of networks and sustained global academic collaborations. These three dimensions operate synergistically, supported by transformational leadership, quality assurance systems, human resource development, and integrated governance. The study concludes that transforming into a world-class Islamic university requires balancing Islamic identity, technological innovation, and global engagement. It contributes an integrated institutional transformation model and offers strategic implications for enhancing the competitiveness and academic excellence of Islamic higher education institutions.

Review

This study offers a highly relevant and ambitious exploration into the multifaceted transformation required for Islamic Higher Education institutions to achieve world-class status. The proposed integrated model, uniquely combining Islamization, digitalization, and internationalization, presents a compelling framework for understanding institutional innovation. The qualitative, naturalistic case study design employed suggests a deep dive into the practical processes, promising rich insights into how an Islamic university navigates this complex journey. The abstract effectively conveys the study's focus on a continuous governance transformation, underpinned by these three interacting pillars. The findings, as summarized, clearly articulate the synergistic role of each dimension. Islamization, through the *Wahdatul 'Ulum* paradigm, is posited as essential for strengthening epistemological integration and establishing a distinct academic identity. Digitalization is appropriately identified as a driver for modernizing governance, enhancing academic services, and fostering data-driven decision-making, crucial for contemporary institutional efficiency. Concurrently, internationalization is shown to bolster institutional capacity through global networks and collaborations. The abstract further strengthens its argument by highlighting critical supporting elements such as transformational leadership, robust quality assurance systems, human resource development, and integrated governance, indicating a holistic understanding of the institutional ecosystem. The study's conclusion, emphasizing the delicate balance between Islamic identity, technological innovation, and global engagement, provides a vital strategic insight for leaders in Islamic higher education. The integrated institutional transformation model developed holds significant potential for enhancing the competitiveness and academic excellence of these institutions globally. While based on a single case, this work lays a robust foundation for future research, potentially inspiring comparative studies across diverse Islamic universities or quantitative validations of its core components. This contribution is undoubtedly valuable to the discourse on higher education development within Islamic contexts, offering actionable insights for institutional leaders and policymakers.

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