International Journal of Educational Narratives
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026)

The An Autoethnographic Narrative of Institutional Resilience: Ma’had Aly Nurul Qodim within the National Education System

Imro Atus Soliha (Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang)
Abdul Haris (Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang)
Ulil Hidayah (Institut Ahmad Dahlan Probolinggo)
Benny Prasetiya (Institut Ahmad Dahlan Probolinggo)
Sohirin Mohammad Solihin (International Islamic University Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2026

Abstract

Background. This study examines the institutional resilience of Ma’had Aly Nurul Qodim as a form of pesantren-based higher education amid inconsistencies within Indonesia’s national education system. Despite receiving formal legal recognition, Ma’had Aly continues to face significant challenges related to administrative legitimacy, accreditation, and limited affirmative state support. Purpose. This study aims to analyze how Ma’had Aly Nurul Qodim maintains institutional resilience while navigating structural constraints within the national higher education system. Methods. This research employed a qualitative case study approach combined with autoethnographic techniques. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with institutional leaders, lecturers, and students, supported by direct observation and document analysis. Data were analyzed using thematic qualitative procedures to identify patterns of institutional resilience and adaptation. Results. The findings reveal that Ma’had Aly Nurul Qodim sustains its institutional resilience through adaptive governance, human resource development, institutional innovation, and strategic use of technology. This resilience is influenced not only by external policy environments but also by internal cultural resources such as collective ethos, social capital, and service-oriented values. However, structural limitations remain, including restricted access to state funding and incomplete integration into the national higher education system, which may affect long-term sustainability. Conclusions. The study concludes that institutional resilience in Ma’had Aly is shaped by the interaction between internal cultural strength and external policy constraints. It contributes to the discourse on higher education resilience by offering insights into how community-based institutions negotiate structural challenges while preserving their epistemological identity.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijen

Publisher

Subject

Description

International Journal of Educational Narratives is an peer reviewed open access journal dedicated to interchange for the results of high quality research in all aspect of Learning and Education. The scope of International Journal of Educational Narratives is not only in the form of study, research, ...