INTEGRATING THE MERDEKA CAMPUS PROGRAM INTO ISLAMIC UNIVERSITIES IN INDONESIA: A STUDY OF IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT ON ISLAMIC SCIENCES

Indonesia's development vision, as outlined in the 2019–2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJM), is directed toward achieving quality education. In line with this vision, all educational institutions are expected to uphold high standards in order to realize excellence in education. This vision aligns with the policy direction initiated by the Ministry of Education and Culture through the "Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka" (MBKM) policy. The MBKM program refers to Ministerial Decree No. 74, as detailed in the official MBKM guidebook, which serves as a foundational reference for all educational programs and learning activities aimed at advancing higher education institutions. This paper examines the implementation of the "Merdeka Campus" program at three Islamic universities: UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh, UIN Sumatera Utara Medan, and UIN Imam Bonjol Padang, using a qualitative approach. The findings indicate that the three universities have developed MBKM guidelines. In general, the implementation is still in the early stages, focused primarily on socialization efforts and workshops for university leaders and academic departments. Several specific MBKM activities have been carried out, although not yet to their full potential. Program implementation has also encountered obstacles, largely due to unresolved discussions among policymakers and relevant stakeholders. Nevertheless, the implications of the MBKM program for the development of Islamic sciences are considerable, as these fields are central to the identity and advancement of Islamic higher education institutions.