BIMTEK LPPD East Java 2024: Strengthening Accountability and Enhancing the Quality of Pesantren Human Resources

Jember, November 10, 2024 – In an effort to strengthen accountability and enhance the quality of pesantren education in East Java, the Lembaga Pengembangan Pesantren dan Diniyah (LPPD) of East Java held a successful Technical Guidance (BIMTEK) event on November 9-10, 2024. Hosted at the Aston Jember Hotel & Conference, this event brought together leaders and staff from various Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKI) and Ma'had Aly across East Java. The BIMTEK was part of the program aimed at improving the qualifications of human resources in pesantren through scholarships for M2 Ma'had Aly, as well as S1, S2, and S3 programs in PTKI, funded by the 2024 East Java Provincial Budget (APBD).

Prof. Dr. H. Abd. Halim Soebahar, MA., Chairman of LPPD, officially opened the BIMTEK event. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of scholarship funds to ensure that the benefits are maximized. “We want to ensure that the funds provided are allocated correctly—accurately in terms of amounts, figures, and reporting,” Prof. Halim stated.

The event coincided with the National Heroes Day commemoration, adding deeper meaning and enthusiasm to the occasion. Imam Hidayat, S.Sos., M.M., Head of the Kesra Bureau, reiterated the message that scholarship recipients must be able to improve their academic qualifications and complete their studies on time. “It is crucial for PTKI and Ma’had Aly to ensure that each student successfully completes their studies on time,” he remarked.

A key highlight of the BIMTEK was the second session, where Prof. H. M. Mas'ud Said, MM., Ph.D., an expert in international education, shared insights on “Developing International Cooperation in Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities.” Prof. Mas'ud encouraged the participants to think more broadly about the importance of collaborating with international institutions to address global challenges in education. “International cooperation is not just an opportunity, but a necessity for PTKI and Ma’had Aly to continue growing and improving the quality of their education,” he emphasized.

In the third session, participants delved into Accountability Reports on the Use of Scholarship Funds, guided by the East Java Provincial Inspectorate team, accompanied by the Kesra team. This session provided a deep understanding of the importance of accurate and transparent reporting to ensure proper accountability in the use of funds.

On the second day of BIMTEK, the atmosphere remained energetic during the Report Review and Follow-up Action Plan Discussion. During this session, participants were supported by the Secretary and Treasurer of LPPD, who guided them in formulating concrete steps to successfully implement scholarship programs at their respective institutions.

This BIMTEK was attended by various programs, including 3 Ma’had Aly programs, 22 undergraduate programs, 17 master’s programs—including the Postgraduate Program of Universitas Nurul Jadid in Paiton, Probolinggo—and 5 doctoral programs from PTKI and Ma’had Aly in East Java. With over 50 participants, the event demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm. Throughout the sessions, participants were highly engaged and eager to apply the knowledge gained to improve the quality of education at their institutions.

Several BIMTEK participants expressed that the event was highly beneficial and should be maintained, even expanded. They hope that such initiatives will continue to support the management of scholarships and the quality of higher Islamic education in East Java.

The BIMTEK LPPD East Java 2024 not only provided training but also opened opportunities for building networks among PTKI and Ma’had Aly. The event fostered stronger ties and served as a platform for participants to exchange experiences and solutions to challenges in managing scholarship programs and higher education.

With this BIMTEK, it is hoped that the quality of scholarship program management will improve, enabling scholarship recipients to achieve higher academic qualifications and graduate on time. Through this event, LPPD East Java aims to cultivate a future generation that excels in knowledge and can contribute positively to society and the higher education sector in Indonesia.