Analysis of the Independent Campus Program and the Role of Higher Education at Darul Ulum University Jombang

This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus
Merdeka (MBKM) Program and the role played by Universitas Darul Ulum
Jombang in supporting its success. The MBKM Program is an initiative by the
Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology that allows
students to learn outside their academic programs for up to three semesters.
This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected
through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. Informants in this
study include MBKM program administrators, supervising lecturers, and
participating students within Universitas Darul Ulum Jombang.
The findings indicate that Universitas Darul Ulum Jombang has actively played
its role by promoting the program, preparing internal regulations, and establishing
partnerships with external institutions. Although there are some challenges such
as limited human resources and infrastructure readiness, overall implementation
shows a positive trajectory. The university’s active role in facilitating students and
developing adaptive curricula is a key factor in the program’s institutional success.
The implications of this study suggest that the success of MBKM implementation
strongly depends on the synergy between national policies, institutional readiness,
and active student participation. Therefore, ongoing commitment from all
stakeholders is essential to ensure that the program delivers real impact on
learning quality and graduate employability, rather than being a mere
administrative requirement