Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University Malang was established based on the noble aspirations of Muslim academics and scholars to cultivate a generation of Muslims capable of embodying the true image of Islam—one that reflects the religion's universality and significance within a humanity that yearns for material and spiritual well-being, as well as happiness in both this life and the Hereafter. The generation envisioned is one equipped to build civilization by steadfastly adhering to principles of a balanced and exemplary life, such as justice, truth, goodness, peace, equality, pluralism, and tolerance. In an educational context, this embodiment of Islam is realized through an ideal Muslim personality profile that balances intellectual, moral-spiritual, social, and individual dimensions, while remaining dedicated to serving religion, society, and the nation.
There are at least three underlying strategic reasons: ideological, philosophical, and socio-psychological. Ideologically, Islam is an all-sufficient, integral, holistic, and universal religion. Therefore, there should be no separation between religious studies and general sciences—a division that currently prevails in the world of education and schooling.
Recognizing the importance of integrating intellectual intelligence with emotional and spiritual intelligence, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang—as a State Islamic Higher Education Institution—has established a harmonized framework for scholarly, academic, and institutional development. The approach to knowledge development pursued by the university—specifically within its Postgraduate Program—is grounded in Islam-based knowledge in the broad sense: knowledge that grows and evolves based on both *kawniyah* verses (the universe, understood epistemologically through observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning) and *qawliyah* verses (the Qur’an and Hadith). The university’s model for knowledge development is visualized as a "Tree of Knowledge," comprising roots, boughs, branches, and twigs. From an academic standpoint, the university—and its Postgraduate Program in particular—emphasizes a robust and relevant academic system designed to support this vision of knowledge development and to cultivate human resources possessing the character, capabilities, and skills necessary to advance society toward progress and well-being.
As part of its institutional development, UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang—dating back to its time as STAIN—launched a Master’s level (S2) postgraduate program in Islamic Religious Studies during the 1999/2000 academic year. This program was established pursuant to the Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia No. 84 of 1999 regarding the Implementation of Postgraduate (S2) Study Programs. In 2005, the university received authorization to launch Master’s (S2) study programs in Islamic Education Management and Arabic Language Education, as stipulated by the Decree of the Director General of Islamic Religious Institutions No. DJ.II/55/2005. A Doctoral (S3) program was subsequently introduced in the 2007–2008 academic year following authorization from the Director General of Islamic Education (Decree No. DJ/450/2006). Further study programs were subsequently developed to respond to and meet societal needs; consequently, the study programs currently offered by the UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang Postgraduate School include:
The Masters Study Program consists of 8 (eight) Study Programs, namely:
The Doctoral Study Program consists of 6 (six) Study Programs, namely:
