From Compliance to Improvement: Assessing ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018 Integration at a State Islamic University

This study examines the implementation of ISO 9001:2015 (general quality management) and ISO 21001:2018 (educational organization management) at a State Islamic University in Indonesia to evaluate how these standards support institutional objectives, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. By adopting a mixed‐methods comparative case‐study design, data were collected through document analysis, interviews, and observations at both faculty and unit levels. Results indicate a robust documentation framework and strong leadership commitment—evidenced by comprehensive issue analyses, risk assessments, and management review cycles—but also reveal a "paper QMS" phenomenon, where audit findings seldom translate into actionable improvements. Based on these insights, we propose strengthening the audit‐to‐action linkage via formal corrective‐action registers, fostering bidirectional dialogue through quality forums, and aligning ISO 21001 requirements with national accreditation benchmarks to maximize dual‐certification benefits. These measures are intended to help Indonesian higher education institutions transition from mere compliance to sustained, evidence‐based quality excellence.