UIN Jakarta Welcomes Prominent Sukabumi Islamic Boarding Schools to Promote Higher Education Pathways
Diorama Room, UIN Online News – UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta welcomed a delegation of students from MA Pesantren Sunanul Huda and MA Pesantren Al-Marfu’yah, two Islamic boarding schools based in Sukabumi, West Java. The campus visit was designed to introduce the students to higher education options and broaden their horizons regarding academic opportunities at the university level.
The welcoming ceremony took place at the Diorama Room on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The students were received by the University Communications team alongside deans and faculty executives from the Faculty of Ushuluddin (Theology), the Faculty of Sharia and Law, and the Faculty of Islamic Studies.
During the session, the Head of the UIN Jakarta Information and Public Relations Center, Zaenal Muttaqin, emphasized that the university offers vast opportunities for boarding school students to develop both their academic potential and Islamic scholarship. He reaffirmed UIN Jakarta's ongoing commitment to serving as a bridge for these students through various admission pathways and dedicated scholarship programs.
"We welcome these young scholars with open arms, recognizing the immense potential they bring to further their studies at UIN Jakarta," he stated.
Supporting this sentiment, the Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Cooperation at the Faculty of Sharia and Law, Prof. Dr. Kamarusdiana, added that UIN Jakarta is ready to become a second home where students can cultivate their intellectual and spiritual capacities.
"The Faculty of Sharia and Law opens broad avenues for boarding school graduates looking to pursue higher education. They can select specific programs such as the Comparative School of Islamic Jurisprudence or choose from our various other academic tracks," he said.
From an academic perspective, the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs at the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Dr. Eva Nugraha, outlined the diverse Islamic studies pathways accessible to the students. He explained that UIN Jakarta provides premium scholarship options across several faculties, including specialized Quranic memorization (Tahfiz) scholarships and Public Service Unit (BLU) grants within the Faculty of Ushuluddin to support high-achieving students.
"The Faculty of Ushuluddin is just one of the exceptional spaces at UIN Jakarta that offers a rich and vibrant atmosphere for advanced Islamic studies," he noted.
The Chair of the Sunanul Huda Islamic Education Foundation, Yeni Ratna Yuningsih, Ph.D., expressed her sincere appreciation for the warm reception, noting that she hopes this visit will foster more productive institutional collaborations in the future.
The Principal of MA Pesantren Sunanul Huda, KH. Iyan Mahpudin, emphasized the importance of synergy between traditional Islamic boarding schools and modern universities to prepare the next generation of leaders. He also extended an invitation for the university representatives to conduct a reciprocal visit to their campus in Sukabumi.
Meanwhile, the Principal of MA Pesantren Al-Marfu’yah, Hj. Eris, viewed the orientation as a strategic step to equip madrasah graduates to compete on a national level and seamlessly transition into high-quality higher education.
During the comprehensive presentation, students were introduced to various university entrance tracks, including national merit, state selection exams, centralized Ministry of Religious Affairs pathways, and independent university enrollment. The briefing also highlighted UIN Jakarta’s 56 study programs across 12 faculties, extensive scholarship opportunities, and active student organizations designed to foster personal development.
Sofwan Zahir, a 12th-grade student from Sunanul Huda, shared his excitement about the newfound academic insights.
"UIN Jakarta is incredible, and the learning environment feels like an international university campus. This visit has definitely made me more motivated to study here," he remarked.
For context, Pesantren Sunanul Huda is a historic Islamic educational institution founded in 1936 by KH. Uci Sanusi. Operating under traditional mainstream Islamic principles, the institution has grown into a major hub for integrating faith, knowledge, and practical action through an integrated system of formal and traditional schooling.
Similarly, Pondok Pesantren Al-Marfu’yah is a respected Islamic boarding institution in Sukabumi managed by the Al-Marfu’yah Islamic Education Foundation, overseeing both integrated formal schooling and traditional religious education.
Concluding the event, Zaenal expressed his hope that this experience would give the students a clear vision of university life. "Our goal is to inspire and motivate them to pursue their dreams through higher education," he concluded.
(Mufid/Zaenal/Arifin)