On Monday (June 21, 2021), the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) of UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang celebrated its 5th anniversary. As part of the commemoration, FKIK UIN Malang held a Thanksgiving event attended by three generations of UIN Malang rectors to recount the journey of the founding of the Ulul Albab Medical Campus.

It's no surprise that establishing a Medical and Health Sciences study program for an institution is quite challenging, but it's not impossible. Through persistent, diligent, and patient work, and only with the permission of Allah SWT, a Medical Study Program can be established. This is the long journey the founders of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) of the State Islamic University of Malang (UIN Malang) have successfully undertaken in pioneering the establishment of a medical and health sciences campus at the Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University (UIN). At least that's a brief reflection of the essence of the Tasyakuran event to commemorate the 1st Lustrum: the 5th Anniversary of FKIK UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, which was successfully held from noon to evening this Monday (June 21, 2021) at the Multipurpose Hall and Zoom Meeting Room of FKIK UIN Malang.

The event became very special, when Prof. Dr. H. Imam Suprayogo (Rector of UIN Malang for the 1997-2013 period), Prof. Dr. H. Mudjia Rahardjo, M.Sc. (Rector of UIN Malang for the 2013-2017 period), Prof. Dr. H. Abdul Haris, M.Ag. (Rector of UIN Malang for the 2017-present period), Prof. Dr. dr. Bambang Pardjianto, Sp.B., Sp.BP-RE(K) (Dean of FKIK for the 2016-2019 period), and Prof. Dr. dr. Yuyun Yueniwati PW., M.Kes., Sp.Rad(K) (Dean of FKIK for the 2019-present period) were also present. Also present were the deans, lecturers, and staff of FKIK UIN Malang on a limited basis. The event was opened with remarks from Prof. Yuyun as the host and then symbolically opened by Prof. Haris. In his remarks, Prof. Haris expressed his gratitude and pride for the achievements made by FKIK. Next, Prof. Bambang Pardjianto shared his experience as the first Dean of FKIK UIN Malang.

On this occasion, Prof. Mudjia, the Rector of UIN Malang, who received the decree for the establishment of FKIK from the Director General of Higher Education in 2016, also shared the story of UIN Malang's struggle in establishing the faculty of medicine. According to him, at that time, many doubted that UIN Malang was capable of carrying out the mandate of organizing higher education in the health sector. However, he himself proved that with consistent prayer and effort, everything can be realized. In the end, this event would not be complete without listening to the words of Prof. Imam Suprayogo. He has served as Rector of UIN Malang from 1997 to 2013, an achievement that is impossible for his successors to match. In his remarks, Prof. Imam recounted the history of the establishment of FKIK from scratch, how he and his staff at that time presented the idea of establishing a Medical Study Program on the campus which is in fact a State Islamic College, until finally the way was opened. He also expressed his hope that the campus, which he had painstakingly established, would continue to grow and innovate, producing health professionals with noble character. "Hopefully, in the future, FKIK UIN Malang will be able to realize its dream of building an Islamic civilization in the health sector," he concluded.

To conclude the event, the committee prepared a tumpeng (rice cone) which was symbolically cut by Prof. Yuyun, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UIN Malang, as a symbol of gratitude to God Almighty. The entire event proceeded solemnly and without any significant issues. A sense of camaraderie was palpable among those in attendance, both in person and online.

(Alif FF, Public Relations of FKIK)