Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) held a Closing Ceremony for Muhammadiyah Scholarship Preparation Program (MSPP) Batch V on Thursday (9/3). A total of 50 MSPP scholarship awardees gathered at the Yogyakarta Training Center of Technical Education (BLPT). This ceremony marked the end of this three-month MSPP program held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) and Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM).

 

Awardee Testimonials

For the first agenda, it started with presenting testimonials from each location, namely Try Hardyanthi, the awardee at UMM and Andi Muammar Kareba, the awardee at UMS. In her testimony, Try Hardyathi expressed her great appreciation to the leaders and staff for the opportunity given. “When we followed the program, to be honest, I felt overwhelmed. However, thanks to my friends for the support and the mentors for the motivation. I was motivated to finish it (MSPP program) until the end. This program not only provides English language proficiency skills, but also Muhammadiyah and many other soft skills,” she said.

Furthermore, echoing Try Hardyanthi’s sentiments, Andi Muammar Kareba appreciated this golden opportunity. He added that the closing ceremony marked the beginning of their respective struggles to pursue higher education. Andi also advised not to compare each other because there are different needs and dreams. “Let’s cherish the memories we had in the last three months. The best is yet to come,” he concluded.

 

Reports

The next agenda was a report from the Training Imam of each location. Phisca Aditya Rosyadi, Imam Training for MSPP UMS explained the awardees’ activities during the program. “The regular class lasted for five days. On Saturday, we do sharing. Throughout the weekend, each awardee is required to speak fully in English,” he explained. Regarding the strengthening of Islam and Muhammadiyah Studies, awardees are required to follow prayer in congregation every Fajr, Maghrib and Isha. There are also Tahsin classes twice a week and regular recitation of the Qur’an.

Phisca also said that of the 25 participants at UMS, two of them had received scholarships for further study abroad. Hopefully, the number would raise other awardees’ motivation. Rahmat Fauzi, Imam Training at UMM reported that participants need to prepare themselves for their next journey towards success.

In a report from the UMS Language and General Sciences Institute (LBIPU) by Dr. M. Thoyibi, M.S., there was an increase in the average IELTS score of awardees between before and after participating in the MSPP program. The initial IELTS score results were 88% participants received a score below 4.5. Meanwhile, after taking three months training, 62.5% participants scored above 6.5. “I think there will be an opportunity to be raised again. I invite you to stay focused on your goal,” he said.

Furthermore, the UMM Language Center (LC) was reported by Dr. Masduki, M.Pd. It has 176 meetings which were divided into 165 regular classes, 5 online classes on scholarships preparation, and 6 development classes. “Please to all participants who have taken the IELTS test and get a ranking, take the international IELTS test immediately. It needs to be followed up as soon as possible,” he mentioned a recommendation to the CHERD.

 

Remarks

The Chairperson of the Council for Cadre and Human Resources Development (MPKSDI), Bachtiar Dwi Kurniawan, S.Fil.I., MPA, expressed his gratitude to CHERD for organizing the MSPP in supporting the improvement of English language competence and strengthening the commitment to Muhammadiyah for the awardees. “I always support the collaboration between CHERD, MPKSDI, and LazisMu in the next MSPP,” he said. Furthermore, the Chairman of LazisMu, Ahmad Imam Mujadid Rais added that the improvement of English competence could be more optimal if the duration of the training was increased. He also advised not to make this closing ceremony the end of the plan, because the study plan needs to be realistic until completion.

Ahmad Muttaqin, M.Ag., M.A., Ph.D., the Secretary of CHERD, emphasized that this closing ceremony also meant an opening session for each awardee for their next journey. He also gave three “recipes” for every awardee who wants to study abroad. “First, don’t be afraid and try. Second, keep trying. And, third, try again,” he said. He also congratulated each awardee because their achievement during their training was also a highlight point that needs to be appreciated.

Moreover, the best student and the most diligent student from each program location have received awards from CHERD for the appreciation.

 

Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Mandate

To end the program, Muhammad Sayuti, M.Pd., M.Ed., Ph.D., the secretary of Muhammadiyah Central Board delivered his remarks. He said on behalf of the Muhammadiyah Central Board to appreciate the implementation of MSPP Batch V. He also mentioned the idea of Muhammadiyah internationalization through MSPP and portrayed Minhaj in the UK whose founders were Pakistanis. “Fostering is a historical necessity. MSPP is part of the Muhammadiyah internationalization movement by preparing the youth to achieve higher education overseas,” he said.

Muhammad Sayuti also advised that Muhammadiyah values and the spirit of Muhammadiyah must still be empowered abroad. He also mentioned Muhammadiyah Special Branch (PCIM), such as PCIM United States, PCIM Australia, PCIM Japan, and many others that have become legal organizations. “It means that the spread of the ideas of progressive Islam and moderate Islam must be continued,” he said. At the end of the remarks, Muhammad Sayuti led to recite hamdalah and officially closed the Closing Ceremony of MSPP Batch V.