41 Santri (Students from Islamic Boarding Schools) of Regional Representative Start Pre University Courses
A total of 41 students receiving the Regional Representatives scholarships (BUD) from the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), who took the Scholarship Program for Islamic Students (PBSB), have begun to take their pre-university courses in IPB. This was revealed at the "Opening of Pre-University Program 2011," (6 / 6) at the Rectorate Building of Andi Hakim Nasoetion, IPB.
They were selected from 5464 participants who took enrollment to 328 students and in the final selection to 41 students. Their acceptance in the IPB was marked by sticking the participants’ identity the Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Ir. Yonny Koesmaryono, MS., accompanied by Director of Diniyah (Islam Releigion) Education and Boarding School, Kemenag (Ministry of Religion), Choerul Fuad Yusuf, and Team Leader of BUD IPB, Dr. Ibn Qoyim.
In his welcoming speech, Choerul said the purpose of the cooperation between Kemenag and BUD IPB is among others to strengthen the image of the Islamic Boarding Schools.
"In recent years Pesantren (Islamic Boarding Schools) is seen as an uneducated, conservative, traditional, and left-behind institution and so on. For this reason, with presence of this program it is expected to change the bad image," he said.
According to him, it turns out that the graduates of Islamic boarding schools are not as bad as the image expressed so far; it is evident from 12 universities implementing this program (IPB, ITB, UGM, Airlangga University, ITS, UIN, IAIN etc.), which give the same report that their average GPA is 3, 5 upwards.
"Moreover some students win championships and international awards. I hope this can build a positive image, especially in the academic area," he said. A similar case was also expressed by Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs Prof. Ir. Yonny Koesmaryono, MS.
"We are impressed with their seniors; there are many pearls from these pesantren. The lecturers had no difficulties in teaching them. I hope that the graduates will not only contribute to pesantren but also to the nation and the State," said Prof. Yonny.
Meanwhile, Team Leader of BUD IPB Dr. Ibn Qoyim said before attending matriculation, the pre-university students this year will take a series of tests including the subjects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. This is intended to find the best ways of teaching them (Mtd)
