Journal of Indonesian Islam
Vol 19, No 2 (2025)

MA'HAD 'ALY AND ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION IN CONTEMPORARY INDONESIA: Contributions, Dynamics of Intellectualization, and Scientific Independence of Islamic Boarding Schools




Article Info

Publish Date
03 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study examines the role of Ma’had Aly and Private Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIS) managed by pesantren in Indonesia in strengthening the scientific independence of Islamic boarding schools through intellectualization. The research is based on field observations and interviews conducted at 12 pesantren offering Ma’had Aly and postgraduate programs, analyzed using Creswell’s analytical approach. The findings indicate that Ma’had Aly and PTKIS postgraduate programs significantly enhance the intellectual capacity of santri, not only in mastering Islamic religious sciences but also in developing related disciplines such as social and natural sciences. These programs encourage the integration of traditional pesantren learning with formal higher education, introducing more advanced and systematic intellectual frameworks within Islamic studies. Furthermore, they provide opportunities for santri to cultivate critical thinking, apply scientific methodologies, and engage in interdisciplinary research. The study concludes that integrating Islamic higher education into pesantren enriches Islamic educational theory and demonstrates the continuing relevance of pesantren in responding to modernization and globalization.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JIIs

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences Other

Description

Journal of Indonesian Islam (JIIS) publishes articles on Indonesian Islam from various perspectives, covering both literary and fieldwork studies. The journal puts emphasis on aspects related to Islamic studies in an Indonesian context, with special reference to culture, politics, law, society, ...