State Islamic University (UIN) Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto, abbreviated as UIN SAIZU, is the transfer of status as well as the development of the Purwokerto State Islamic Institute (IAIN) based on the Presidential Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 41 of 2021, after 6-7 years previously in the form of the Purwokerto State Islamic Institute (IAIN) which was a development and the transfer of status from the State Islamic High School (STAIN) Purwokerto based on Presidential Regulation Number 139 of 2014 concerning the Change of STAIN Purwokerto to IAIN Purwokerto. Historically, STAIN Purwokerto was also a status transfer from the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta (1964-1994) and the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Walisongo Semarang (1994-1997) which were based in Purwokerto.
Embryologically, IAIN Purwokerto was inspired by the speech of the Indonesian Minister of Religion, Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri, during the inauguration of the Preparatory School (SP) IAIN (now MAN 1) who among other things hoped that the founders of SP IAIN would not stop at the Aliyah (high school) level. However, this formal education was continued with the establishment of religious faculties, which in time could be included in the State Islamic Institute (Al-Djami’ah Al-Islamiyah Al-Hukumiyah) Yogyakarta, so as to provide opportunities for further study of SP IAIN in particular, and high school in general.
The invitation of the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia was then welcomed by K.H. Muslich, who at that time, apart from being the Chairman of the Al-Hidayah Foundation, Founder of SP IAIN, was also a member of the DPRGR, MPRS Member, and a member of the National Design Council, by inviting other Banyumas Muslim figures, including: H.O.S. Noto Soewiryo (Head of Supervisor for Religious Affairs at Purwokerto Residency); Drs. Muzayyin Arifin (Chairman of SP IAIN Purwokerto); K.H. Muchlis (Principal at the Office of Religious Affairs in Purwokerto), and Muhammad Hadjid (a businessman in Purwokerto) to establish the Al-Djami’ah Sunan Kalijaga Waqf Agency. The main task of this waqf body is the establishment of a higher religious education institution in Purwokerto immediately.
The efforts of the Waqf Board, which was typed by K.H. The Muslich received sympathy and support from the wider community. Therefore, on November 10, 1962, the Waqf Board of Al-Djami’ah Sunan Kalijaga established the Faculty of Tarbiyah Al-Djami’ah Sunan Kalijaga. Then, in the same year, December 12, 1962, the Waqf Board of Al-Djami’ah Sunan Kalijaga was officially notarized as a legal entity that manages and manages the architecture.
After almost two years of running the Faculty of Tarbiyah Al-Djami’ah Sunan Kalijaga Purwokerto, the founders who were assisted by the Residents of Banyumas, through the Chancellor of IAIN Al-Djamiah Al-Hukumiyah Yogyakarta proposed to the Minister of Religion that the Faculty of Tarbiyah Al-Djami’ah Sunan Kalijaga Purwokerto be nationalized .
Finally, with the Decree of the Minister of Religion Number 68 of 1964 on September 9, 1964, the Faculty was nationalized and parented to IAIN Al-Djami’ah Al-Hukumiyah Yogyakarta, which later changed its name to IAIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The handover of the conversion of the Faculty of Tarbiyah Purwokerto as well as its merger with IAIN Sunan Kalijaga was carried out on November 3, 1964. Since then, the Faculty of Tarbiyah Al-Djami’ah Sunan Kalijaga Purwokerto officially became the Faculty of Tarbiyah IAIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta in Purwokerto.
Furthermore, on the basis of geographical considerations and the efficiency of regional technical development based on the Decree of the Minister of Religion Number 385 of 1993, Number 394 of 1993, and Number 408 of 1993, the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta in Purwokerto was delegated from IAIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta to IAIN Walisongo Semarang. The parenting handover from IAIN Sunan Kalijaga to IAIN Walisongo could only be carried out on December 13, 1994. Since then, the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Sunan Kalijaga Purwokerto was changed to the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Walisongo in Purwokerto.
Then, with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Number 11 of 1997 concerning the Establishment of a State Islamic College on March 21, 1997, the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Walisongo in Purwokerto became the State Islamic College (STAIN) of Purwokerto, as an independent university to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.
The change in status from the Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Walisongo in Purwokerto to the State Islamic High School (STAIN) Purwokerto provides great autonomy and many opportunities to develop the potential of STAIN Purwokerto in accordance with the needs of the community and the potential of the academic community, by opening Departments and Programs New studies, as well as making improvements to the curriculum and carrying out reforms in various aspects.

In 2012 STAIN Purwokerto opened Postgraduate Strata 2 (S-2) namely the Syari`ah Economic Law Study Program (HES) and the Islamic Education Management Study Program (MPI). Based on the Decree of the Director General of Islamic Education Number 164 of 2014 concerning Permits for the Implementation of Study Programs, STAIN opened a study program for Strata I (S.I), namely the Raudhatul Athfal Teacher Education (PGRA) and Da’wah Management (MD) study program.
In 2014, the status of STAIN Purwokerto changed from HIGH SCHOOL to INSTITUTE. This change in status was stipulated through Presidential Regulation Number 139 of 2014. Along with the transfer of status to IAIN, there were the addition of 10 (ten) new undergraduate study programs (S-1) based on the Decree of the Director General of Islamic Education Number 547 of 2015 and 4 undergraduate study programs. postgraduate strata two (S-2). Until now, IAIN Purwokerto manages 22 undergraduate study programs, 6 master programs, and 1 Diploma III study program.

Further information, please visit http://iainpurwokerto.ac.id/