Implementing ISO-Based Educational Reform: ISO 21001:2018 Effectiveness in Enhancing State Islamic University Services

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33650/al-tanzim.v9i3.11286

Authors (s)


(1) * Fairus Tahta Alifana   (Universitas Islam Negeri Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember)  
        Indonesia
(2)  Imron Fauzi   (Universitas Islam Negeri Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq Jember)  
        Indonesia
(3)  Alma Vorfi Lama   (University of Business and Technology)  
        Serbia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


Ensuring high-quality educational services is a growing challenge for State Islamic Universities (UIN) in Indonesia, particularly in efforts to harmonise Islamic educational values with international standards. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of ISO 21001:2018 implementation in improving service quality at State Islamic Religious Universities. The method used is a qualitative case study, with data collection through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Data were obtained from 25 purposively selected informants, consisting of quality assurance staff, lecturers, and students. The results show that ISO 21001:2018 significantly improves institutional accreditation through standardising quality management processes and strengthening human resources and infrastructure. The certification process increases stakeholder trust and strengthens academic quality assurance through regular evaluations and transparent audits. The integration of ISO 21001:2018 also encourages the creation of a participatory environment and continuous improvement in educational services. This study emphasises the importance of adapting international standards to local educational contexts and religious values. The ISO 21001:2018 structure can be a strategic model for quality governance in other Islamic universities.

Keywords

ISO 21001:2018, Service Quality, Academic Quality Assurance, International Standard



Full Text: PDF



References


Abas, M. C., & Imam, O. A. (2022). Integrating Islamic Values with TQM in University Management. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 13(2), 210–225.

Achruh, & Sukirman. (2024). An Analysis of Indonesian Islamic Higher Education Institutions in the Era of Globalization. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23(9), 78–102. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.9.5

Almusawy, A. M. R. (2024). The Role of the Total Quality Management Strategy to Improve the E-Learning System in Light of Climate Changes for a Sustainable Educational System for Higher Education Institutions. Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.52152/kuey.v30i3.1065

Anh, T. V., Linh, N. T. M., Nguyen, H. T. T., & Duan, T. C. (2021). ISO Standard Application in University Management Model: A Case Study. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 11(4), 194–199. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2021.11.4.1511

Anttila, J., & Jussila, K. (2018). Universities and Smart Cities: The Challenges to High Quality. Total Quality Management and Business Excellence, 29(9–10), 1058–1073. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2018.1486552

Azhar, M. (2023). The Role of ISO 21001:2018 in Strengthening Quality Assurance Systems in Higher Education. Journal of Educational Management, 12(1), 45–58.

Deming, W. E. (1986). Principles for Transformation. Out of the Crisis, 18, 96.

Emmanuelle, G. (2023). Reviews of Literature on Accreditation and Quality Assurance Reviews: Literature Review: Application of Quality Assurance & Accreditation in the Institutes of Higher Education in the Arab World. International Journal of Reviews, 1, 1–57.

Hadi, N. U., & Yuson, S. M. (2020). Quality Management in Religious-Based Universities: Southeast Asian Perspectives. Higher Education, 80(4), 789–807.

Handayani, N. U., & Wibowo, M. A. (2021). Implementation Strategy of Outcome-Based Education: A Case Study in Engineering Faculty Diponegoro University. Proceedings of the Second Asia Pacific International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Surakarta, Indonesia, 420–433.

Hijri, N., & Nanang, S. (2024). Commitment to Global Standards: ISO 21001:2018 Certification at UIN Salatiga. Journal of Islamic Education, 15(3), 112–125.

Hudgens, B. J., & Lecturer, S. (2020). Acquisition Research Program (DOD). Federal Grants & Contracts, 44(20), 3–3. https://doi.org/10.1002/fgc.31292

Idan, M. F. (2025). Implementation of ISO 9001:2015: Quality Management System in the University by a Verification Method. Accreditation and Quality Assurance, January. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-024-01629-3

Indarti, L., Mundiri, A., & Ferandita, N. (2021). Good Governance University; Strategic Management Application Based on ISO 21001:2018. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 05(03), 169–182.

Koeslag-Kreunen, M., Van den Bossche, P. (2021). Vertical or Shared? When Leadership Supports Team Learning for Educational Change. Higher Education, 82(1), 19–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-020-00620-4

Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1992). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. Sage Publication.

Mohamed, R. K. (2023). The Dual Education System in Egypt: The System’s Challenges and the Way Forward. The American University in Cairo Master of Public Policy.

Özkan, F. Z. (2025). Analysis of Motivation and Communication Aspects in Universities Through ISO 21001: 2018 Management System Standard and Total Quality Management. International Journal of Professional Business Review: Int. J. Prof. Bus. Rev., 10(5), 2.

Qingyan, G., Azar, A. S., & Ahmad, A. (2023). The Impact of Teacher Quality Management on Student Performance in the Education Sector: Literature Review. World Journal of English Language, 13(3), 156–171. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v13n3p156

Rahman, F., & Putri, A. (2023). Stakeholder Engagement in Academic Quality Audits: A Pathway to Excellence. Quality in Higher Education, 19(1), 33–47.

Rais, R. N. Bin, Rashid, M., Zakria, M., Hussain, S., Qadir, J., & Imran, M. A. (2021). Employing Industrial Quality Management Systems for Quality Assurance in Outcome-Based Engineering Education: A Review. Education Sciences, 11(2), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11020045

Ramese, W. K. D., & Lakmal, A. H. (2024). Adopting ISO 9001: 2015 & ISO 21001: 2018 EOMS to the Sri Lankan Higher Educational Institutions: A Review of Literature. KDU Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 6(1).

Raskind, I. G., Shelton, R. C., Comeau, D. L., Cooper, H. L. F., Griffith, D. M., & Kegler, M. C. (2019). A Review of Qualitative Data Analysis Practices in Health Education and Health Behavior Research. Health Education and Behavior, 46(1), 32–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198118795019

Raya, M. Y., Hidayat, T., Yuspiani, & Basri, A. D. (2022). Eksistensi Penerapan Sistem Manajemen Pendidikan Tinggi Berdasarkan SNI ISO 21001:2018. Idaarah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan, 6(2), 390–405. https://doi.org/10.24252/idaarah.v6i2.31648

Rosiawan, M. (2023). Implementing Outcome-Based Education in Accordance With ISO 21001 Requirements. Atlantis Press International BV. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-008-4_132

Sadiq, B. H. (2025). The Possibility of Applying the Requirements of the Educational Institutions Management System According to the ISO 21001:2018 Specification Using the 8D Methodology: A Case Study. Asian Journal of Management and Commerce, January. https://doi.org/10.22271/27084515.2025.v6.i1f.496

Salvioni, D. M., Franzoni, S., & Cassano, R. (2017). Sustainability in the Higher Education System: An Opportunity to Improve Quality and Image. Sustainability (Switzerland), 9(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su9060914

Siti Ridloah, Amelindha Vania, Dina Purnama Sari, Faizatun Fajariah, Zahroh Nurhillah, Meicky Shoreamanis Panggabean, Fadhil Muhammad, M. A. A. (2024). Pengantar Manajemen Pendidikan (M. Ahmad Bairizki, S.E. ed.). Seval Literindo Kreasi.

Smith, J., & Jones, L. (2021). Enhancing Institutional Reputation Through ISO 21001:2018 Certification. International Journal of Educational Quality, 7(4), 200–214.

Sugiyono. (2020). Metodologi Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif dan R & D. Alphabeta.

Syukron, B. (2022). Penerapan Klausul ISO 21001:2018 Sebagai Upaya Penguatan Manajemen Budaya Mutu Pendidikan Tinggi Keagamaan Islam. Tarbawiyah: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 6(2), 197. https://doi.org/10.32332/tarbawiyah.v6i2.5550

Taraza, E., Anastasiadou, S., Papademetriou, C., & Masouras, A. (2024). Evaluation of Quality and Equality in Education Using the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model—A Literature Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16030960

Thahir, M. (2025). Global Research Overview: A Bibliometric Analysis of Quality Management Trend in Higher Education Over the Past 20 Years. 6(1), 46–58. https://doi.org/10.51454/jet.v6i1.480

Wibowo, A., & Sari, D. (2022). Human Resource Development and Infrastructure Improvement in Accreditation Enhancement. Indonesian Journal of Quality Assurance, 9(2), 78–89.

Yu, Y., Appiah, & Adu-Poku, K. A. (2024). Integrating Rural Development, Education, and Management: Challenges and Strategies. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(15), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156474

Zulfikar, T. (2021). Quality Assurance in Islamic Higher Education: A Bibliometric Analysis. Heliyon, 7(3), e064.


Dimensions, PlumX, and Google Scholar Metrics

10.33650/al-tanzim.v9i3.11286


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2025 Fairus Tahta Alifana, Imron Fauzi, Alma Vorfi Lama

Creative Commons License
 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Al-Tanzim : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam
Published by Lembaga Penerbitan, Penelitian, dan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (LP3M) of Nurul Jadid University, Paiton, Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia.