73 Santri and Pesantren Leaders Secure Central Java Provincial Government Scholarships

A total of 73 santri (students) and leaders of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) have successfully passed the selection process for scholarships provided by the Central Java Provincial Government. The successful candidates were chosen from an initial pool of 942 applicants. The selection involved academic testing and interviews, with the latter focusing on the ability to read classical Islamic texts (kitab kuning), Quran memorisation, pesantren knowledge, and national insight. The results were announced on 3 August 2026. Of the 73 recipients, 15 individuals secured scholarships for undergraduate studies abroad, while the remaining 58 will pursue undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees at domestic universities. International scholarship recipients will study in countries including China, Egypt, and Yemen. The fields of study chosen by the awardees range from medicine, nursing, and public health to agriculture, humanities, and Islamic studies. The scholarship covers tuition fees, with international recipients also receiving support for visas, living costs, and return airfare. Central Java Vice Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen stated that the scholarship recipients will receive technical guidance and motivation. He also noted that domestic scholarship holders are expected to attend campus regularly, even if their university does not mandate in-person attendance. Upon graduation, the recipients are required to return to their respective pesantren to apply their knowledge. The programme is set to commence this semester, with the possibility of being offered again next year pending evaluation.