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

A total of 942 individuals applied for the Central Java provincial government’s 2026 scholarship programme for santri and pesantren caregivers. Fifteen santri have been selected for undergraduate studies abroad and are preparing to study in China, Egypt, and Yemen. They consist of three santri in the field of science and technology in China, one in medicine at Al Azhar Egypt, three at Al Ahqof Yemen, and seven in Islamic studies at Al Azhar Egypt. One other santri is participating in a double degree programme. The selection results were announced on 6 July 2026. Meanwhile, 98 participants passed the administrative selection for domestic scholarships, comprising 43 undergraduate santri and 55 pesantren caregivers pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. Of the 43 undergraduate santri, 10 chose medicine and 12 chose science, engineering, and mathematics. The 55 prospective master’s and doctoral recipients underwent interviews on Saturday (25/7), while the 43 undergraduate candidates were interviewed on Sunday (26/7). The selection results were announced on 3 August 2026 via the Central Java Provincial Government website and the JNN (Jateng Ngopeni Nglakoni) application. Chairman of the Central Java LFSP, KH Hasyim Muhammad, stated that the programme represents the Central Java Provincial Government’s concern for pesantren and is part of the Pesantren Obah Programme, a flagship initiative of Governor Ahmad Luthfi and Vice Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen. Chairman of the Selection Committee, Wahid Abdulrahman, added that the interview material comprised 50% ability to read the yellow book, 20% Quran memorisation, 15% national insight, and 15% pesantren knowledge. The scholarship programme covers vocational and undergraduate education both domestically and abroad, overseas double degree programmes, Islamic studies at Al Azhar Egypt, Al Ahqof and Imam Syafi’i Yemen, as well as domestic master’s and doctoral programmes for pesantren caregivers.