<![CDATA[The research problem in this study is the weakening of academic writing culture in Islamic boarding schools and the need to strengthen the writing tradition of kiai and santri as a cultural practice. The aim of this study is to analyze the writing tradition of kiai and santri as an academic culture at Al-Khoirot Islamic Boarding School in Malang from an Islamic education perspective. This research employs a qualitative approach with a case study design and a phenomenological perspective at Al-Khoirot Islamic Boarding School, involving kiai, teachers, santri, and alumni as participants. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. The findings show that the kiai writing tradition is a sustainable academic practice for the production, transmission, and preservation of knowledge, while also serving as a means of worship, da’wah, and intellectual, spiritual, and social guidance for santri in pesantren life. Furthermore, the internalization of writing culture among santri occurs through structured habituation, institutional support, curriculum integration, and the use of print and digital media that provide progressive spaces for skill development, up to and including scientific publication. The writing tradition forms a critical, productive, and reflective academic culture, transforming santri into knowledge producers. Despite challenges posed by digital distractions, the synergy among kiai, institutional systems, and santri creates a sustainable academic ecosystem within the pesantren. The conclusion of this study confirms that the writing tradition of kiai and santri strengthens the academic culture of pesantren sustainably through continuous synergy. The significance of this research lies in strengthening literacy culture and academic traditions in Islamic education within pesantren in a sustainable and relevant way.]]>
