The Faculty of Islamic Studies (FAI) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) will host the 8th International Conference on Islamic Studies and Social Sciences (INSIS-2026). This year’s conference will take place in two countries—Turkey and Saudi Arabia—beginning March 24–25, 2026, at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (IZU), Turkey.
INSIS 2026 will be combined with an umrah pilgrimage program. In preparation for participants’ departure, FAI UMSU has organized a series of activities, including manasik (umrah guidance sessions), meningitis vaccinations, and seminar briefings.
The preparatory meeting was held at the FAI-UMSU Hall on Saturday morning (January 31) and was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Dr. Zailani, M.A. Also in attendance were Vice Deans I and III Dr. Rizka Harfiani, M.Psi., the Vice Director of Postgraduate Studies Dr. Adi Mansar, the Head of BIM UMSU Dr. Nur Rahmah Amini, and INSIS 2026 participants.
INSIS 2026 is part of FAI’s ongoing initiative to strengthen UMSU’s position as an internationally recognized Muhammadiyah university. Previously, in 2025, FAI-UMSU held the same conference at Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS), Malaysia. Both the 2025 Malaysia conference and the 2026 Turkey conference are organized in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend on-site and virtually from various countries.
INSIS 2026 is expected to attract participants from five countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Turkey. All international participants have established Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with UMSU as the organizing institution.
Dean Dr. Zailani explained that INSIS-2026 marks the eighth international seminar organized by FAI-UMSU. This year’s conference uniquely integrates academic and spiritual dimensions. In addition to fulfilling the tridharma of higher education—research, community service, and teaching—the program also incorporates spiritual enrichment activities.
In line with UMSU’s aspiration to become a World-Class University, FAI-UMSU will continue to expand international-scale initiatives through INSIS, international community service programs, and global KKN (Community Service Program) placements. These efforts ensure that FAI’s activities extend beyond the local level to the international sphere, including partnerships with internationally reputable academic journals.
Dr. Zailani added that all papers presented at INSIS-2026 will be submitted to reputable international journals under existing collaboration agreements.
Regarding other international initiatives, he noted that FAI UMSU has conducted International KKN programs since 2017, with consistent expansion to various countries. Typically, the program attracts more than 100 participants. In 2025, 110 students took part, while 127 participants are scheduled for 2026. Currently, International KKN placements are available in Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia, with Egypt to be added as a new destination in 2026.
The expansion of International KKN destinations is expected to further strengthen UMSU’s role as a globally engaged university and reinforce its international academic presence.
