PTKI must produce Ulul Albaab scholar
Rectorate, UIN News Online – Islamic higher education institution (PTKI) must be able to produce scholars who have the ideal characteristics as ulul albaab (human thinkers). For this reason, PTKI must change its institution from a high school or an institute into a university.
This was said by the former Rector of UIN Malang Imam Suprayogo in his presentation during national webinar entitled “Peluang Integrasi Keilmuan di Era Disrupsi“, Wednesday (07/01/2020) through Zoom application.
“I believe, that goal can only be achieved if the STAIN is converted into a university,” Imam said, when giving an example of his ideas when making changes to the STAIN he once led to become a university.
According to Imam, what is characterized by an ideal human being as ulul albaab, is written in the Koran of Ali Imran verses 190-191. People with ulul albaab, he said, had its own characteristics including; always remembering God all the time, always think of the creation of heaven and earth, and have an awareness of the importance of technology.
Imam also said that Islam must be widely understood. Especially where Muslims are always left behind, both in the fields of science and technology, economics, politics, education, and others. “In terms of quality it is also considered quite weak. Included in the knowledge methodology, foreign language skills, and even self-confidence,” he said
One of the causes of Muslims is lagging behind and unable to compete with other communities, he continued, due to the educational institutions developed by Muslims themselves. Islamic education institutions only focus on limited Islamic studies, namely ushuludin, shari'ah, tarbiyah, da'wah, and manners. In addition, Islamic educational institutions have not yet developed science and technology, economics, politics, medicine / health science, and others.
“Therefore, Islamic educational institutions must be transformed to be more universal,” he said.
Through this transformation, the graduates must bear what is called ulul albaab with the characteristics as mentioned in the Qur'an. However, the institutional change must be accompanied by the improvements of its supporting aspects.
“In my opinion, even STAIN or IAIN must be encouraged to make changes, including institutional changes. Progress that has been experienced by UIN Jakarta and several UIN in several other cities must be considered as an important lesson for PTKI in Indonesia,” said Imam. (usa/ns)