Managers of the Islamic Religious Education Study Program (IRE/PAI) accompanied by the Quality Assurance Agency (LPM) of UIN Sunan Kalijaga had the opportunity to conduct international benchmarking to Padang on March 1-5 2021. Benchmarking was carried out to universities that already had internationally accredited study programs and which would apply for international accreditation, namely Andalas University (UNAND)and IAIN Batusangkar. At Andalas University (Unand), the PAI Study Program learned about their experiences with international accreditation, and at IAIN Batusangkar the IRE Study Program learned and shared about the management of the Study Program, especially in implementing the Independent Learning-Independent Campus curriculum.

At UNAND, there are three study programs that share experiences on international accreditation, namely Industrial Engineering, Informatics Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. In the sharing, each study program manager shared about many things, from preparation to start international accreditation, the process of applying for international accreditation, to follow-up for international accreditation. Preparation for international accreditation begins with holding a leadership workshop in welcoming international accreditation. According to them, this is very important as the first step in building the commitment of Study Program managers and faculty and university officials. Through leadership workshops, the teams involved in international accreditation have the same perception so that international accreditation can be carried out properly. In the process of preparing (forms) for international accreditation, there are many challenges that must be faced, especially by the management of Study Programs. But with a strong commitment, all challenges can be overcome well. After all the processes were taken for approximately 6 years, the Study Program got very encouraging results, namely being internationally accredited.

Many things are felt by the University, especially study programs after being declared internationally accredited, such as increasing the confidence of the UNAND extended family both nationally and internationally, easier to get aid funds from the government, becoming more famous both on a national and international scale, even if there are graduates who will continue their studies to international universities, graduates can enter without a test.

Sharing with IAIN Batusangkar was greeted with a joyful and lively welcome from the big family of IAIN Batusangkar. All officials from the ranks of the Rector, Faculties to Study Programs also welcomed the arrival of the big family of UIN Sunan Kalijaga. According to them, UIN Sunan Kalijaga is like a big brother to them. Therefore, they are happy to welcome us.

The big family of UIN Sunan Kalijaga was first invited to the Rector's room. This is where the Rectorate conveys many things related to academic developments at IAIN Batusangkar. Based on this explanation, we consider that IAIN Batusangkar is indeed worthy of becoming a university. The meeting was continued in the IAIN Bausangkar Hall. Here, the LPM team of UIN Sunan Kalijaga and IAIN Batusangkar shared about the development of quality assurance in each institution. After sharing the LPM, the activity continued with sharing in each Study Program/Faculty.

The manager of the PAI Study Program joined the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Batusangkar. Here, apart from sharing about study program governance, study program curriculum, we also collaborate between faculties and study programs. Sharing at the Faculty of Tarbiyah ended with the signing of the cooperation script which would be followed up by signing at the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta.