Globalization and international dynamics have opened doors for the exchange of knowledge, culture, and ideas among nations. Islamic higher education institutions have the opportunity to become inclusive learning centers that integrate religious values with science and technology. This creates opportunities to build international academic networks, enhance collaboration, and strengthen the position of Islamic higher education institutions as world-class universities.

One of the benchmarks of a world-class university is the presence of international students studying at Islamic higher education institutions in Indonesia. Currently, more than 10,000 international citizens are studying at Islamic educational institutions, both public and private. In the context of Islamic higher education, Indonesia’s stable socio-political conditions are a potential asset to attract international citizens to pursue higher education in Indonesia.

To achieve this goal, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang considers it highly important and strategic to establish the International Student Scholarship (ISS) program for undergraduate (S1), master’s (S2), and doctoral (S3) levels. This ambitious program requires support from all stakeholders, both domestic and international.

The provision of scholarships for international students is expected to provide them with new experiences in learning and directly observing the atmosphere, process, and quality of Islamic education in Indonesia. The national education system of Indonesia, which integrates science and religion, is expected to enrich their intellectual and spiritual perspectives, equipping them to contribute to the development of their home countries.

Therefore, it is necessary to prepare guidelines for the admission of international students within UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang.