Minister of Religious Affairs: PTKIN Alumni Must Be Role Models, Not Just Scientists

Minister of Religious Affairs Prof KH Nasaruddin Umar has emphasised that alumni of State Islamic Religious Universities (PTKIN) must emerge as scholars who not only excel in mastering knowledge but are also capable of serving as role models within society. According to him, PTKIN graduates possess a distinctive advantage because they combine academic capacity with religious and social leadership.

He made the remarks after opening the First National Working Meeting of the PTKIN Alumni Association and inaugurating the management of the PTKIN Alumni National Forum in Jakarta on Monday (13/7/2026).

Nasaruddin stated that the establishment of the PTKIN Alumni National Forum is a strategic step to unify the vision of alumni from all PTKIN across Indonesia. Going forward, the forum is expected to synergise with alumni of Private Islamic Religious Universities (PTKIS) as they share the same vision of building civilisation.

“The essence is how to unify the vision of all PTKIN and later also all PTKIS because the vision is the same. This makes it easier to build unity because they share a commonality as institutions that produce scholars,” Nasaruddin said.

He explained that PTKIN alumni are expected not to stop at being scientists who master a particular discipline. More than that, they must become intellectuals who apply their knowledge and bring tangible benefits to society.

According to Nasaruddin, PTKIN graduates possess characteristics that distinguish them from graduates of other higher education institutions. Besides becoming academics, they are also expected to be able to serve as imams, preachers, community leaders, and agents of change in their respective environments.

“PTKIN alumni are not only prominent as scientists, but can also become imams, preachers, community leaders, and provide exemplary conduct. Society needs such figures,” he said.