Challenges in Institutional Accreditation Management (AIPT) and Its Ineffectiveness in Improving the Quality of Islamic Higher Education in Indonesia

抄録

This study investigates the challenges and limitations faced in managing Institutional Accreditation (AIPT) within Islamic State Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) in Indonesia. Despite nationwide implementation of accreditation systems, only one out of 58 PTKIN has attained “Excellent” accreditation status, reflecting significant gaps in quality enhancement efforts. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative survey data from 500 institutions with qualitative insights gathered through interviews and focus group discussions involving accreditation managers and heads of quality assurance. The findings reveal multiple persistent barriers that hinder accreditation success. These include the lack of alignment between institutional visions and strategic plans, low student re-enrolment rates, minimal recruitment of international students, and challenges in meeting faculty qualification benchmarks. Furthermore, inadequate faculty performance recognition, limited research integration, underdeveloped community service engagement, funding constraints, and infrastructural deficiencies further complicate the accreditation process. A critical insight from the study is the weak integration of accreditation practices with strategic quality management frameworks, particularly Total Quality Management (TQM). This misalignment diminishes the potential of accreditation to drive sustained institutional improvement. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for more coherent and strategic accreditation management, recommending the incorporation of continuous quality improvement models to enhance institutional performance, educational quality, and long-term competitiveness within the Islamic higher education sector.