942 Applicants for Central Java Santri Scholarship, 15 Pass to Study Abroad

A total of 942 people registered for the Central Java Provincial Government’s 2026 scholarship programme for santri (Islamic boarding school students) and pesantren caregivers. Fifteen santri have been selected for overseas undergraduate scholarships and are set to study in China, Egypt and Yemen.

They comprise three santri in science and technology in China, one in medicine at Al Azhar in Egypt, three at Al Ahqof in Yemen, and seven in Islamic studies at Al Azhar in Egypt. One other santri is enrolled in a double degree programme. The selection results were announced on 6 July 2026.

Meanwhile, 98 candidates passed the administrative stage for domestic scholarships, consisting of 43 undergraduate santri and 55 pesantren caregivers pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. Of the 43 undergraduate santri, 10 chose medicine and 12 opted for science, engineering and mathematics.

The 55 prospective postgraduate recipients were interviewed on Saturday (25 July), while the 43 prospective undergraduate recipients faced interviews on Sunday (26 July). Selection results will be announced on 3 August 2026 via the Central Java Provincial Government website and the JNN (Jateng Ngopeni Nglakoni) application.

KH Hasyim Muhammad, Chair of LFSP Central Java, said the programme reflects the provincial government’s care for pesantren and forms part of the Pesantren Obah Programme, a flagship initiative of Governor Ahmad Luthfi and Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen.

Selection committee chair Wahid Abdulrahman added that the interview covers ability to read classical Islamic texts (kitab kuning) at 50 per cent, Quran memorisation at 20 per cent, national insight at 15 per cent, and pesantren knowledge at 15 per cent.

The scholarship programme covers vocational and undergraduate education both domestically and abroad, overseas double degree undergraduate study, Islamic studies at Al Azhar in Egypt and at Al Ahqof and Imam Syafi’i in Yemen, as well as domestic master’s and doctoral degrees for pesantren caregivers.

In addition to establishing a directorate-general for pesantren, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar said flagship programmes such as scholarships for high-achieving santri and free health checks have delivered tangible benefits to santri.

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, together with Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, launched the 2026 Santri and Pesantren Caregiver Scholarship Programme to commemorate National Santri Day (HSN).

The programme aims to produce outstanding ulama and religious teachers ready to serve and guide the community within Muhammadiyah pesantren circles.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs opened scholarship registrations for santri. This time, the non-degree scholarship is the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP).