Artificial Intelligence Governance in Islamic Higher Education: Developing an Ethical, Regulatory, and Quality Assurance Framework for Future Religious Universities

Abstract

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) platforms within global higher education has triggered unprecedented paradigms in pedagogy, curriculum development, and administrative workflows. However, conventional, secular AI governance models fail to address the specific socio-ethical, metaphysical, and philosophical demands of Islamic Higher Education Institutions (IHEIs), Madaris, and religious universities. This study systematically addresses this theoretical and practical governance vacuum by establishing a robust, multi-dimensional institutional framework. Integrating Islamic educational philosophy with cutting-edge digital governance systems, we introduce the Awan Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework (AAIGF). Operating under a qualitative conceptual research methodology, we systematically analyze academic literature, international policy frameworks, and classical Islamic educational tenets, aligning modern AI capabilities with the classical objectives of Islamic law (Maqasid al-Shariah). The AAIGF comprises fifteen core components including ethics, academic and research integrity, student literacy, risk management, cybersecurity, quality assurance, human oversight, and compliance, offering structured matrices and structural protocols. Additionally, we provide 20 detailed policy recommendations and 20 future research trajectories, establishing a path for institutional preservation, operational resilience, and ethical excellence in the global digital era.