Alumni Summit 2025: Building Synergy and Strengthening Brotherhood Among Thursina IIBS Alumni
Today, the Harvard Hall of female campus, International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) was busy with the arrival of alumni (8/2). High School of Thursina IIBS (SMA) invited its graduates to return to ma'had. There were five classes graduated from 2020-2024. The total number of alumni is around 678, spread throughout the country and overseas, attending the event both offline and online. Titled Thursina Global Alumni Networking Summit 2025, the agenda opened with reading verses from the holy Quran. All audiences listened and followed the agenda with great enthusiasm.
The atmosphere became warmer during the welcoming session by the Chief of Education of Thursina IIBS Ustadz Muhammad Rajab, M.Pd.I. He expressed his pride and pleasure to the coming of the alumni. It is encouragement for the foundation to persistently work, strive and educate Thursina IIBS students finer. “I had a flashback when you were here. The predecessors are part of the memories, the foundation of our struggle at the time, ahlan wa sahlan, welcome back, to the hut of memories," said Ustadz Rajab.
Thursina IIBS shows considerable concern on its alumni. Based on the data, as many as 76% of graduates have chosen to continue their studies abroad, while 21% have learnt in local universities. Besides academic aspects, many of them are starting businesses or deepening their memorization of the Quran in the boarding schools.
The alumni have revealed a positive trend with progresively wider reach. Currently, Thursina IIBS graduates have been expanded across various universities, within and outside the country. In Indonesia, they study in 42 state universities (PTN) and 22 private universities (PTS) in 14 cities. Meanwhile, in the international level, they have been accepted in 43 universities in 13 countries, with a total of 144 graduates. Some of the destined countries include the Netherlands, Russia, Taiwan, Japan, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Canada, England, and others. Ustadz Rajab continued, the alumni summit is a forum for islamic brotherhood and networking to build future collaboration.
Thursina IIBS is aware that academic and professional journeys would become assets for synergy and collaboration in some fields later. Furthermore, internalisation of the values of Religious, Caring, Open Minded, and Inspiring (RECODING) and Islam would remain embedded in themselves when they are in the universities and become a bachelor or master to remain to act kindly to others. “Since there is no such a former santri, you will always be a santri. To contribute greatly to the nation, it is necessary to strengthen brotherhood among all," said Ustadz Rajab.
Also, he conveyed the power of alumni summit; Islamic brotherhood and networking are some of the main objectives, he continued. A mere friendship is not enough, however it required more concern or caring. "It is a value of Thursina that has to be maintained by the alumni. The summit would internalise the values among graduates," he told.
The CEO of Thursina IIBS, Ustadz H. Nur Abidin, M.Ed., called alumni as the changemakers. They come from several departments in reputable campuses. The Alumni Summit, as part of the 10th Anniversary of Thursina IIBS, seeks to reach all stakeholders, including alumni. He welcomed and invited them as well to consider about the dreams they would reach. He added, the alumni network is significant to build relation between alumni and the school, with complementary contributions each.
"Alumni provide benefits in the practical knowledge, political and industrial networks, funds, and increased reputation. On the other hand, alma mater supports through continuing education, international research, academic networks, and prestige and reputation," he stated. Moreover, he added the collaboration is realized through alumni involvement in governance, projects and university programs, creating mutually beneficial relationships.
One of the memorable events was the alumnus awards. The winners receive trophies, certificates and coaching fund. (sls/lil)