Good news! Ma Zhilong and Sha Haihong, Chinese students who learned Arabic Language and Culture in University Al-Azhar Indonesia (UAI), officially earned their bachelor’s degree this even semester. In terms of this, UAI invited both students to receive their last mandate from Yayasan Baitul Maal PLN (YBM PLN) as their sponsor on Tuesday (27/09). The event, which was held in Taiwan-Indonesia Urban Environment Change and Land Resource Management Research Center (TIUL) room on the second floor of UAI, was attended by all parties from UAI who had helped the students in accordance with their scholarships. They were Fazlur Rachman, S.Pd.I., M.S. (Head of the Arabic Language and Culture Department), Dr. Bambang Eko Samiono, S.T., M.M. (Director of Partnership), Nova Andrianto Saputra, S.E. (Head of Subsection Directorate of Fundraising Partnerships), and Muhammad Fadli, S.E., M.H. (Head of Administrative Services Division, Scholarship, Internship, Mobilization and General Affairs).
During the opening remarks, Dr. Bambang Eko Samiono, S.T., M.M. delivered his gratitude that both students have completed their study well. He admitted that living overseas during this global pandemic has not been easy, but both students made it until the end and that must be something that we should appreciate for. He also thanked YBM PLN for supporting them in providing their living cost here in Indonesia. Then, it was continued by a speech from Fazlur Rachman, S.Pd.I., M.S.,. He felt relieved that the program had been going properly. He had witnessed the process to make it possible for the students to learn in Indonesia in this covid-19 situation before, but it was a happy ending now. He hoped that the knowledge that they had gained in UAI could be beneficial for them. Last but not least, the next message came from Muhammad Fadli, S.E., M.H. as the representative from the Office of International Affairs, he looked forward to a better future for the students and the title that they received from UAI could lead them to their objectives in life. He optimistically wished that this successful program could bring other international students who want to study at UAI.
Thank you UAI and YBM PLN for making our dreams come true. We are now intellectual people with integrity. So, it’s now our duty to see the real world” (Ma Zhilong and Sha Haihong)
Hereinafter, as the gist of the agenda, UAI handed over their last living cost that was provided by YBM PLN to the respective students along with the recipient signing section. At the same moment, it was closed with their last words For UAI and YBM PLN. They expressed their endless thanks to both parties for accepting and giving them this amazing opportunity.
Learning Arabic Language and Culture in UAI has led them to not only be capable in speaking Arabic which is based on Islamic spiritual, moral, and ethical values, but also in mastering Arabic literature and linguistics. Besides, experiencing Indonesia’s culture and tradition was the most exciting part for them. They also had a chance to attend an internship program in Pesantren Tahfidz Hummalul Quran, Yayasan Mujahidul Yamin, Bogor, West Java for months. Meeting the locals and blending with them were a lifetime moment and they could not be more grateful than that (TSH).