UIN Sunan Kalijaga, one of Indonesia’s leading Islamic universities, has unveiled plans to establish a Pesantren Studies Center as part of a broader effort to modernize and elevate the role of pesantren, Indonesia’s traditional Islamic boarding schools.

The announcement came during a National Seminar held on January 8, 2025, themed “Transforming Pesantren: Nurturing Spirituality for Educational Progress.” The event, hosted in collaboration with Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, RMI PBNU and RMI PWNU DIY, brought together religious scholars, educators, and policymakers to discuss the evolving role of pesantren in national and global education systems.

Keynote speaker KH. Yahya Cholil Staquf, Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), highlighted pesantren’s historical resilience and their potential to embrace modernization. He also launched Digdaya Pesantren, a digital platform designed to enhance pesantren management and integrate them into Indonesia’s broader educational framework.

Rector Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan reaffirmed UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s deep-rooted connections to pesantren, citing its historical contributions to the university’s academic traditions. “Pesantren have been pivotal in shaping the university’s identity and will remain integral to its future,” Prof. Hasan said. He also revealed plans to name the new research center after Martin van Bruinessen, a renowned scholar of Indonesian pesantren, as a tribute to his contributions to Islamic studies.

The seminar concluded with a commitment to preserving pesantren’s spiritual and cultural heritage while equipping them to address contemporary challenges. The launch of Digdaya Pesantren and the establishment of the new research center mark significant steps in integrating traditional Islamic education into modern global frameworks.

With this initiative, UIN Sunan Kalijaga aims to position itself as a leader in Islamic education innovation, fostering collaboration between pesantren and higher education institutions worldwide. (PR Team)