Journal of Higher Education and Academic Advancement

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGITAL GAMES IN TEACHING ISLAMIC EDUCATION FOR THE THIRD GRADE INTERMEDIATE FROM THE TEACHERS' POINT OF VIEW

Sufan Hasan Ahmed Al-Bayati — 2026-04-07

Objective: The study aimed to identify the effectiveness of digital games in teaching Islamic education from the point of view of third-grade intermediate teachers in Kirkuk Governorate. Method: The researcher used the descriptive-analytical method in conducting this study, where the study sample consisted of 150 teachers of Islamic education in Kirkuk, who were randomly selected from among 170 teachers and schools to whom the questionnaires were distributed, with a response rate of 88.24%. A 14-item questionnaire was used to measure the effectiveness of digital games in improving students' comprehension. The validity of the questionnaire was verified using multiple methods, and the stability was tested using the Cronbach's alpha method. Results: The results of the study resulted in the effectiveness of digital games in teaching Islamic education from the point of view of teachers in Kirkuk Governorate, as the study did not show any statistically significant differences at the level of (0.05) between teachers' opinions based on the gender variable, which indicates that the effect of digital games on the teaching of Islamic education was equal between males and females. The results also showed that teachers with more than 10 years of teaching experience had more positive opinions about the effectiveness of digital games in improving students' understanding of religious concepts, while no statistically significant differences were shown between teachers according to the number of years of other experience. Novelty: A 14-item questionnaire was used to measure the effectiveness of digital games in improving students' comprehension.

OPTIMIZING YOUTH WORSHIP GUIDANCE IN IMPROVING CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY QUALITY IN PADANG PANJANG BLOCK PARIANGAN VILLAGE TANAH DATAR REGENCY

Yuli Sabri — 2026-04-08

Objective: This community service program aims to optimize the religious guidance for adolescents in Jorong Padang Panjang, Nagari Pariangan, Tanah Datar District, through the improvement of discipline, responsibility, religious understanding, and the prevention of negative behaviors. Method: The program was conducted from June 2 to June 21, 2025, involving 30 adolescents as participants. Before the program implementation, a pre-test was conducted to measure the participants' discipline, responsibility, and religious understanding, as well as to detect negative behaviors such as drug abuse and promiscuity. After the religious-based training involving families and schools, the post-test results show significant improvements in discipline (85%), responsibility (78%), and religious understanding (80%), as well as a decrease in negative behaviors to 30%. Results: The pre-test results show that only 40 % of adolescents have high discipline in performing religious duties, 50% feel responsible for religious and social obligations, and 65% are involved in negative behaviors. This program not only improves the technical aspects of religious practice but also contributes to strengthening the social relationship between parents and children and enhancing the participants' spiritual quality of life. The challenges faced, such as external influences still affecting adolescent behavior, were addressed with a more holistic approach, involving other community elements. Novelty: This program proves that a structured and community-based approach can have a significant impact on developing adolescents' discipline, responsibility, and strong character.

CHARACTER FORMATION OF CHILDREN THROUGH COUNSELING AT THE MUTIARA RUMAH GADANG FOUNDATION

Isra Ahmadi — 2026-04-08

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the role of family care in children's character building in Gantiang Village, Padang City, focusing on addressing parenting issues and the development of children’s character. Method: This research is a community service project using an extension method (workshop), conducted over two days on September 16-17, 2023. It involved 45 parents and students from TPQ Rumah Gadang through lectures, discussions, brainstorming, and presentations. Results:
The results showed that children were enthusiastic about the activities and understood the importance of proper knowledge and parental care. The workshop also revealed challenges faced by children, such as gadget addiction, refusal to heed advice, and neglect of duties. This led to the successful design of the Child Family Care program, scheduled for November 2023. Novelty: The novelty of this study lies in its approach to involving both parents and children in a community-driven initiative aimed at improving family care practices. The Child Family Care program serves as a model for increasing parental knowledge and skills to support children’s growth and character development, particularly for ages 7-12 years. The implementation of these findings is expected to influence other communities in fostering children's character through family coaching.

STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF EDUCATIONAL-COGNITIVE COMPETENCE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Sharipova Muhabbat Yuldashevna — 2026-04-15

Objective: This article examines the structural components of educational-cognitive competence (ECC) within interdisciplinary learning environments in higher education. Drawing on a synthesis of cognitive psychology, competence theory, and pedagogical research, the study identifies and analyses three core components of ECC – motivational-cognitive, operational-procedural, and reflexive-evaluative – and explores how interdisciplinary integration reinforces each component. Method: We propose a structural-component model, which is confirmed by theoretical processing and observational conclusions on the basis of Urgench State Pedagogical Institute (Uzbekistan). Results: The data analyses show that interdisciplinary learning environments have a significant effect on students' depth of conceptual understanding, problem-solving flexibility and metacognitive awareness in the large effect size range (Cohen's d > 0.88) for all components measured. Novelty: The article offers a theoretically anchored framework for contemporary higher education curriculum design and instructional methodology.

FROM COMPLIANCE TO CULTURE: PPEPP-BASED QUALITY CONTROL IN ISLAMIC STATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (PTKIN)

Muhammad Alfian — 2026-04-22

Objective: This study examines the shift of quality control from procedural compliance to a quality culture through the PPEPP cycle in Indonesian Islamic state higher education (PTKIN), using IAIN Kerinci as a case. Method: A qualitative case-study design traces quality as everyday practice rather than documentation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with senior leaders, the internal quality assurance institute (LPM), faculty/program quality units, lecturers, and students; observations of academic and administrative services and quality meetings; and document analysis of SPMI standards, internal audit (AMI) reports, management review (RTM) minutes, and follow-up plans. Analysis applied iterative data condensation, display, and verification. Results: The findings show that PPEPP, AMI, and RTM function to close the loop by translating evaluation results into corrective decisions and monitored follow-up. However, implementation consistency varies across units due to uneven quality literacy, reliance on key individuals, and incomplete digital integration. Novelty: The study recommends risk-based auditing, an integrated quality-data dashboard, and structured student–alumni engagement to strengthen accountability and accreditation outcomes.

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND THE ENACTMENT OF JUSTICE IN HIGHER EDUCATION GOVERNANCE: EVIDENCE FROM PRIVATE FAITH-BASED UNIVERSITIES

Fitriyani — 2026-04-22

Objective: Drawing on ethical leadership and organizational justice theory, this study examines how justice is enacted through leadership practices in private Islamic higher education institutions in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Method: Adopting a qualitative multiple-case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with institutional leaders and lecturers, supported by document analysis. Results: The findings reveal that perceptions of fairness are shaped less by distributive outcomes than by procedural justice embedded in governance practices. Ethical leadership emerges as a key mechanism enabling justice through transparency, consistency, and moral justification in decision-making processes, even under conditions of financial and structural constraint. Conversely, misalignment between ethical rhetoric and enacted practices generates ethical dissonance and undermines leadership legitimacy. Novelty: Justice in higher education governance is increasingly recognized as a critical ethical concern, particularly in relation to leadership practices that shape budget management, workload distribution, and reward systems. This study contributes to ethical leadership theory by repositioning ethical leadership as a governance capability rather than an individual moral trait, and extends organizational justice research by highlighting the primacy of procedural justice in resource-constrained academic environments. By offering contextually grounded insights from faith-based higher education institutions in the Global South, the study addresses a significant gap in the predominantly Western-centric literature on leadership and justice in higher education.

STRATEGY TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT OF BBPLK INSTRUCTORS THROUGH STRENGTHENING PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT, SERVANT LEADERSHIP, AND TEAMWORK

Tanti Susilarini — 2026-04-22

Objective: This study aims to formulate strategies to enhance employee engagement among BBPLK instructors through strengthening perceived organizational support, servant leadership, and teamwork. Method: The research adopts a qualitative approach with a type of library research study. Data sources consist of academic textbooks, international and national scientific journal articles, and relevant research reports on the study topic. Results: The research findings indicate that perceived organizational support, comprising instrumental and socio-emotional support, plays a role in meeting instructors' psychological needs and creating a sense of gratitude that drives engagement. Servant leadership, with indicators such as member development commitment, stewardship, prioritizing members' interests, and ethical actions, builds trust, empowerment, and fairness that enhance engagement. Teamwork, through synergy in achieving common goals, open communication, trust among members, coordination flexibility, as well as innovation and shared learning, creates psychological safety, a sense of connection, and shared meaning that reinforce engagement. Novelty: The study emphasizes an integrated approach to improving employee engagement, highlighting the simultaneous strengthening of organizational support, servant leadership, and teamwork, and providing specific recommendations for program implementation, such as POS reinforcement, leadership training, and teamwork facilitation through communities of practice.