Matriculation Program: Faculty of Medicine at UIN Jakarta Trains 22 Scholarship Recipients to become Doctors

Jakarta, UIN Online News — The Faculty of Medicine (FK) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta conducted the inaugural ceremony for the matriculation program for 22 scholarship recipients, who were awarded with the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Outstanding Santri Scholarship (PBSB) for the 2025/2026 Academic Year, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Prof. MK. Tadjudin Auditorium.

The occasion was attended by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi, S.Ag., S.H., M.H., M.A.; the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. dr. Achmad Zaki, SpOT, M.Epid, FICS.; and their representative. Director of the Center for Religious Education and Financing (PUSPENMA) within the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. Ruchman Basori, M.Ag., also participated in the event virtually.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine highlighted that the matriculation program is a crucial phase in academically preparing these students for adaptation to the university environment.

"Honestly, it is challenging for you to pursue a medical career since you came from a different institution known as pesantren (Islamic Boarding School). A mastery of scientific information requires enhancement; nonetheless, the primary aspect is your commitment to learning and striving for excellence. Thus, I believe that you possess greater spirit than average students from alternative pathways," he affirmed.

The Vice Rector for Academic Affairs also conveyed a statement encouraging students and santri to thrive academically while preserving their religious identity as a santri (graduate of Pesantren).

"Your attendance at the Faculty of Medicine is not solely to excel academically, but also to uphold the identity and piety intrinsic to your ingrained value," he asserted.

Simultaneously, through an online platform, the Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Center for Santri and Madrasah Development (PUSPENMA) delivered a 20-year retrospective on the "Santri Become Doctors" initiative, which resulted in the establishment of PBSB.

He stated that this program was developed to rectify the nation's past transgressions against pesantren, to address the lag in science and technology within pesantren, and to cultivate graduates who embody both religious character and professionalism.

"PBSB facilitates these students with dedicated entry into a new academic realm, enabling them to acquire information. As a joint program of the LPDP and Kemenag, we aim to cultivate professional personnel with manners," he added.

He also added that the administration of PBSB in 2025 will be transferred to PUSPENMA, with financing provided by the Education Fund Management Agency (LPDP), as a measure to enhance the Kemenag scholarship program.

As of 2025, 22 students from diverse pesantren throughout the archipelago have officially been designated as recipients of the FK UIN Jakarta Medical Education program and will participate in a sequence of academic activities in accordance with the established curriculum.

(Press Release of the Faculty of Medicine)