Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming strengthens pesantren to become a technology-based centre for the national economy

Jakarta – Vice President Gibran Rakabuming has called for strengthening the capacity of pesantren across the country to become a centre of the national economy and business through mastery of technology. He said this during a visit to Pesantren Al Hamid in Cilangkap, Cipayung, East Jakarta, during a Ramadan Safari on Tuesday. ‘In the era of rapid technological progress, we want pesantren to produce santri who master technology, in fields such as modern agriculture, modern livestock farming, robotics, blockchain, and AI,’ the Vice President said in a Jakarta statement. During the visit, the Vice President met with Pesantren Al Hamid’s custodian K.H. Lukman Hakim Hamid, the board members, and the santri. ‘The santri must be able to become opportunity creators, pioneers of innovation that create solutions, and be part of change, without losing the identity and moral values that have long been inherent in the santri,’ he said. The Vice President noted that strengthening the capacity of pesantren needs to be done comprehensively. He acknowledged that there are still a number of challenges that must be addressed together. ‘There are indeed many things we must improve together, ranging from pondok pesantren governance, access to technology and training, access to finance to support the economic self-reliance of pesantren, as well as various government assistance programmes, such as KIP (Kartu Indonesia Pintar), MBG (Makan Bergizi Gratis), CKG (Cek Kesehatan Gratis), and others,’ he said.