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| Ahmad Thib Director of PKU-MI and Syamsul Arifin Warek I UMM with UMM staff (Photo : Haqi PR UMM) |
It is time for Indonesia to give birth to future millennial scholars. Of course, with qualified scientific specifications. Prof. Dr. KH. Ahmad Thib Raya said this as Director of Education for Cadres of Ulama - Istiqlal Mosque (PKU-MI), in the Socialization of PKU-MI Ulama Scholarships in collaboration with the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). The event was held on January 10, 2023, in front of hundreds of participants.
Ahmad Thib, his nickname, said that PKU-MI is under the auspices of the high priest of the Istiqlal Mosque. Interestingly, this program also offers education for female ulema cadres, which, according to him, is the first in Indonesia.
He further said that PKU-MI's vision is to become an international standard educational institution capable of producing scholars. Besides that, he can also master classical and contemporary Islamic scholarship, ready to become a reference for local and international Muslims.
While its mission is to form cadres of scholars who master classical Islamic treasures from various fields and also include cadres who master foreign languages. So that it is ready to become a reference for the wider community. Not only that but also to become moderate scholars with noble characters, so they become the glue for all groups.
"During lectures, students will be placed at the Al-Qur'an Higher Education Institute (PTIQ). At the same time, the guidance of his clergy is directly under the Istiqlal mosque. Each student will also get the opportunity for a short course abroad. Interestingly, this program is also supported by a full scholarship from the LPDP," he said.
Meanwhile, dr. H. Agam Bayu Suryanto, MBA, Head of Cooperation and Scholarship Service Development Division, said that the scholar cadre education scholarship program would be fully funded. Starting from research to short courses abroad, which have two choices: the Middle East and America. In addition, students can do internships at the Indonesian Ulema Council, Muhammadiyah Central Executive, and Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board.
"There are several requirements for prospective students, one of which is being able to speak Arabic and English, besides being able to read and have classical Islamic scholarship," said Agam.
As for UMM Deputy Rector I, Prof. Dr. Syamsul Arifin, M.Sc., explained that UMM also had a similar program. Namely, the Tarjih Ulama Education Program (PPUT) was founded in 2003 at the undergraduate level. He hopes the White Campus academics can continue their education to the highest level. One of them is through this scholarship program.
"I think the PKU-MI scholarship can produce scholars who are superior, qualified and have good scientific specifications," he concluded. (cdr/haq/wil)
