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| Having a discussion with ABIM Secretary General Muhammad Aliemran Nurasid and other leaders.(*) |
KUALALUMPUR, kiprahkita.net - Five institutions in Malaysia have expressed their readiness to support the internationalization programs of Pesantren Kauman Muhammadiyah in Padang Panjang, Indonesia.
This confirmation came after a special meeting held during a visit by the leadership of Pesantren Kauman to Malaysia from September 8-11, 2024.
The visit aimed to accelerate the transformation of the educational institution, originally established by Buya Hamka, into an international school as it approaches its centenary in 2026.
The delegation included Chairman of the Supervisory Board H. Apris, Principal Dr. Derliana, Supervisory Board members Afdi Efendi, H. Yandri Naga, Musriadi Musanif, who is also the Chair of PDM Pabasko, and Deputy Principal Surya Bunawan. They were accompanied by the Chairman of Muhammadiyah West Sumatra (PWM), Dr. Bakhtiar.
The five institutions that committed to supporting the internationalization of Pesantren Kauman are the Special Branch Leadership of Muhammadiyah (PCIM) Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Sekolah Seri Puteri (SSP) Selangor, Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), and the Minangkabau Intellectuals Association of Malaysia (PCMM).
In particular, the collaboration with USIM has already begun with a special English language program for Kauman students. The first wave of 28 students has completed the month-long program in Malaysia.
Dean of the Faculty of Major Language Studies at USIM, Prof. Dr. Zainur Rijal Abdul Razak, along with Head of the Language Center, Dr. Hayati Ismail, expressed their happiness about the collaboration between their institution and Pesantren Kauman Padang Panjang, Indonesia.
"Kauman students showed great enthusiasm in learning, not only in class but also through field activities such as visits to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. We hope that Kauman students will eventually continue their education at USIM," said Zainur Rijal.
Additionally, Hayati offered a potential collaboration between Pesantren Kauman and Sekolah Permata Insan, a USIM-affiliated secondary school. The school only accepts students with an IQ above 130 and a minimum Quran memorization of 15 juz.
Last year, 18,000 applicants competed for spots at Sekolah Permata Insan, but after selection, only 100 students met the criteria. These students are now pursuing education at this elite school.
For dormitory management, digitalized learning, and talent development, Pesantren Kauman is receiving full support from Sekolah Seri Puteri, a government-run girls' secondary school in Cyberjaya, Selangor. SSP is one of the top-performing schools in Malaysia, having sent students to various countries across Asia, Europe, and Australia.
In terms of talent development, particularly in enhancing social interaction skills and public speaking (tabligh), ABIM has committed to partnering with Pesantren Kauman. ABIM is internationally recognized for producing leaders in Malaysia.
"Hopefully, we can begin cooperation this coming Ramadan by assigning Kauman students to conduct dakwah missions in Malaysia, especially within Muslim communities in urban areas, plantations, and among migrant workers, such as Indonesian laborers (TKI) in Malaysia," said ABIM Secretary General Muhammad Aliemran Nurasid.
The involvement of Kauman students in activities across Malaysian society, as well as recruitment efforts for new students, is being supported by both PCIM and PCMM. PCIM Chairman Fauzi Fatkhur has opened doors for Kauman students to participate in various field programs in Malaysia, including the Ramadan Safari program, which also has ABIM's backing. Meanwhile, PCMM has pledged to help recruit potential students from Malaysia for Pesantren Kauman.
Bakhtiar, Chairman of PWM Sumatera Barat, praised the efforts of the pesantren leadership, including Principal Derliana and her team, as well as Chairman of the Pesantren Kauman Supervisory Board, Apris, and his colleagues.
"We fully support the breakthrough initiatives of the Pesantren Kauman leadership. The acceleration of program implementation must be given full and continuous attention. Becoming an international pesantren requires extraordinary efforts, not just ordinary work," he said. (Musriadi Musanif)
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