Ministry of Religious Affairs: AICIS+ 2026 to Focus on Empirical Studies with National Impact
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has announced that the 2026 Annual International Conference on Islamic Science and Society (AICIS+) will focus on empirical studies and have a tangible impact on national development. The event is scheduled to be held at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon.
“It is time for AICIS+ to shift from predominantly theoretical studies to more empirical, applicable research that has a direct impact on society and national development,” said Amien Suyitno, Director General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Suyitno outlined two key principles underpinning the 2026 conference. The first is sustainability, ensuring continuity from previous AICIS+ events. The second is ensuring that all agendas and themes align with the government’s priority programmes.
He stressed the importance of strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) studies contextualised within Islamic scholarship. This approach is intended to reinforce the connection between research developed at Islamic higher education institutions (PTKI) and the requirements of national development.
Suyitno also emphasised the need to measure the real contribution of AICIS+ to national development. He expressed hope that the conference would not only produce academic publications but also policy recommendations and innovations that can be widely implemented.
As part of strengthening collaboration, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is encouraging the involvement of public universities (PTU) in AICIS+ 2026. This collaboration can be realised through special themes relevant to the development of science at PTKI, thereby fostering stronger cross-disciplinary dialogue.
The Director General expressed his hope that AICIS+ 2026 will further solidify its position as an international scientific forum capable of bridging Islamic perspectives with developments in science, technology, and Indonesia’s development needs, while generating impactful recommendations for society.