Institutional Transformation Of Islamic Higher Education Institutions Based On Autonomy, Governance, Data, And Islamic Values

Abstract

Institutional transformation in Islamic higher education cannot be understood merely as organizational restructuring or compliance with governance documentation. It also concerns how institutions exercise authority, lead change, manage information, make decisions, and connect Islamic values with institutional practices. This study aims to analyze the mechanisms linking institutional autonomy, leadership, governance, data utilization, deliberation and quality assurance in the institutional transformation of STAI Sangatta Kutai Timur. The study employs a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data sources include institutional leaders, departments and study programs, the Quality Assurance Unit, the governing foundation, observations of institutional activities, and documents such as the Statutes, organizational and working procedures, institutional development plans, strategic plans, operational plans, internal quality assurance documents, standard operating procedures, the official website, and the academic information system. The analysis focuses on five themes: autonomy, leadership, governance as practice, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of Islamic values. The available findings indicate that authority at STAI Sangatta is distributed hierarchically among the foundation, institutional leadership, departments, study programs, and supporting units; leadership operates through cross-unit coordination; governance is supported by institutional documents, quality systems, and information systems; and decision-making combines information, analysis, coordination, and deliberation. The conceptual contribution of the study is directed toward an institutional transformation model that positions data as an empirical basis, deliberation as a mechanism for collective consideration, and Islamic values as an ethical orientation. The model extends the understanding of Islamic education management from the integration of structures and functions toward an explanation of decision-making mechanisms that connect autonomy, governance, data, participation, and values.