UNUJA Postgraduate Student Achieves Distinction in the 2026 East Java Provincial MODIIS PAI Teacher Competition

Paiton, May 10, 2026 — A notable academic achievement has been attained by a postgraduate student of the Islamic Religious Education (PAI) Program at Nurul Jadid University (UNUJA), who successfully excelled in the MODIIS (Moderate, Innovative, and Inspirational) PAI Teacher Competition for Elementary School Level at the East Java Provincial Level 2026. The event was organized by the East Java PAI Teacher Working Group (KKG) on May 9, 2026, and took place at the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of East Java Province.

This prestigious competition brought together selected teachers and educational practitioners from various districts and municipalities across East Java. Participants demonstrated innovative, creative, and inspirational instructional practices grounded in the principles of religious moderation. The competition served as a strategic platform to promote the enhancement of Islamic Religious Education teachers’ competencies in the context of an increasingly dynamic educational transformation.

In this competition, Syaiful Rahman, a postgraduate student of the PAI program at UNUJA, was awarded First Runner-Up (Honorable Mention 1) in the category of Interactive Game-Based Learning Media for Grade 1, Semester 1,https://app.lumi.education/run/NIaXFW  with the theme “Understanding the Pillars of Islam.” The project featured an interactive educational game designed to enhance elementary students’ comprehension in an engaging and contextually relevant manner. This innovation was recognized for its effectiveness in creating meaningful learning experiences while instilling foundational Islamic values from an early age.

This achievement was significantly supported by the intensive academic supervision of Dr. Nur Aisyah, M.Pd, who consistently provided guidance and motivation throughout the preparation process. She emphasized that the mentoring approach was conducted systematically, encompassing the strengthening of religious moderation concepts and the development of innovative, learner-centered instructional media. She stated, “This accomplishment reflects the result of dedication, commitment, and synergy between student and supervisor in fostering educational excellence.”

The participation of UNUJA postgraduate students in this event highlights the tangible contribution of higher education institutions in preparing professional educators who are adaptive to contemporary challenges. Furthermore, the involvement of delegates from across East Java fostered a collaborative and competitive academic environment, strengthening professional networks among Islamic Religious Education teachers at the regional level.

Dr. H. Akmal Mundiri, M.Pd., The Director of UNUJA Postgraduate Program also expressed appreciation and pride regarding this accomplishment. In his statement, he affirmed that this achievement not only represents a source of pride for the UNUJA academic community but also contributes positively to the broader society. “This success reflects the quality of UNUJA’s postgraduate education in producing educators who are moderate, innovative, and inspirational. We hope that this achievement will motivate other students to continue excelling at regional, national, and international levels,” he remarked.

The achievement attained by Syaiful Rahman is expected to serve as an inspiration for educators, particularly Islamic Religious Education teachers, to continuously innovate in designing relevant, engaging, and character-oriented learning processes. Moreover, this success demonstrates that the synergy between higher education institutions and educational practices in the field can generate meaningful contributions to the advancement of education in Indonesia.