Auditorium M.K. Tadjudin, FK Online News – The Faculty of Medicine (FK) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta held the opening ceremony for the matriculation program of the 2026 Santri Achievement Scholarship Program (PBSB) at the M.K. Tadjudin Auditorium on Monday (8/10/2026). This event marked the beginning of the academic journey for 13 high-achieving santri (Islamic boarding school students) who have been given the opportunity to pursue medical education at FK UIN Jakarta.

The event was attended by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi, S.Ag., S.H., M.H., M.A.; the Dean of FK UIN Jakarta, Dr. dr. Achmad Zaki, M.Epid., Sp.OT., FICS; the Head of the Center for Religious and Islamic Education Financing (Puspenma) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. H. Ruchman Basori, S.Ag., M.Ag.; the Vice Dean for Cooperation, drg. Laifa Annisa Hendarmin, Ph.D.; along with the 13 students receiving the 2026 PBSB Scholarship and members of the FK UIN Jakarta academic community.

In his remarks, the Dean of FK UIN Jakarta, Dr. dr. Achmad Zaki, M.Epid., Sp.OT., FICS, emphasized that having a santri background is not an obstacle to achieving success and growth within a medical education environment.

He noted that santri students have the same opportunities as other students to demonstrate their abilities and achieve success throughout their studies at FK UIN Jakarta. "It is not a barrier — even as a santri, one can still excel," he said.

He also highlighted the increasingly complex dynamics of the medical field, particularly in addressing various issues related to the medical profession and doctor-patient relationships. According to him, academic ability alone is not enough to shape a good doctor. Students also need to develop empathy and the ability to respond to what patients feel.

He added that this needs to be applied across various aspects of student life, including in how they communicate and behave on social media. Every action and post on social media should continue to reflect the professionalism expected of a future doctor.

"How to respond to what a patient feels, how to write on social media, how to carry out professionalism that upholds empathy," he explained.

Furthermore, the Dean of FK UIN Jakarta noted that the Islamic values that form the character of UIN Jakarta should become a distinct strength for FK UIN Jakarta students. The integration of medical education and Islamic values is expected to produce future doctors who are not only academically excellent but who also possess strong character and genuine care for others.

"As a university that integrates Islamic values, UIN should represent empathy and the nobility of Islam itself as central to FK UIN Jakarta," he said.

Echoing this sentiment, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of UIN Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Tholabi, S.Ag., S.H., M.H., M.A., affirmed that a santri background would not leave students falling behind their peers.

He noted that life in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) has instilled in students the habit of managing demanding schedules, maintaining discipline, and handling multiple activities simultaneously.

"Santri will not fall behind other students. Santri are already accustomed and trained to handle demanding workloads," he said.

Joining via Zoom, Dr. H. Ruchman Basori, S.Ag., M.Ag., Head of the Center for Religious and Islamic Education Financing (Puspenma) at the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that the opportunity granted to the 13 santri represents a genuine privilege. PBSB recipients are given the chance to develop themselves through medical education at FK UIN Jakarta.

He explained that the program is part of ongoing efforts to provide access to higher education for high-achieving santri, while also opening opportunities for them to make broader contributions through their chosen profession.

This preparedness serves as important capital for PBSB students in facing the demanding academic and activity requirements of medical education. The discipline and time-management skills developed during their years as santri are expected to help students adapt to the academic environment at FK UIN Jakarta.

The PBSB program also carries strategic significance in strengthening the integration between Islamic education and medical education. The presence of high-achieving santri at FK UIN Jakarta is expected not only to enrich the diversity of the student body but also to reinforce the character of graduates who embody medical knowledge and Islamic values as a unified whole.

(AAS/NIS)