The Integration of Sciences and Islam
Since the beginning of the University’s institutional development, the spirit for the implementation of integration perspective on sciences and Islam constantly presents. To meet this aim, the University has established the Institute for Qur’an and Science Studies. In addition, the University continually pushes the lecturers to broaden their knowledge with Qur’anic paradigm through research, community service programs, and book publishing. For the last four years, the University has published nearly 300 titles of books. The presence of these books is important to foster scientific realms and enrich literatures under the integration perspective.
Intensive Programs of Arabic and English Language Learning
The University has pioneered an intensive program of Arabic language learning which later becomes the national program of Higher Islamic Education in the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Each student of any faculty is required to learn Arabic language for their first-year academic program starting from 02:00 pm to 08:00 pm. The program employs fun learning methods. It intensifies students to be Arabic literate to comprehend Qur’an, sunnah, and other Arabic literatures as to meet the basic requirement for integrating science and Islam. This program also applies to English language learning.
Tahfidz al-Qur’an (Qur’an Memorization) Program
The tradition of tahfidz al-Qur’an is one of the University’s excellent programs. A unit named Hai’ah Tahfidz al-Qur’an (HTQ) has been founded to facilitate the students’ memorization activities. Recently, hundreds of students are involved in Qur’an memorization activities, such as tashhih hifdzul Qur’an (approving the memory on the Qur’an) by kyais (senior religious scholars), tadarrus Qur’an bil ghaib (reciting the Qur’an without reading its text), and learning Qur’anic interpretation. Its number rises up every year. The University offers scholarships to the memorizers during their undergraduate study period. Those gaining excellent academic achievements are even awarded scholarships for further study (Master and Doctorate degrees) in any well-recognized universities.
Indonesian Language and Culture Studies
The program is managed by the Center for Language and Culture Studies. It provides in-country and bridging courses on Indonesian language for overseas students. The learning process emphasizes on naturalistic and communicative approaches, facilitating the students to use Indonesian language extensively in everyday life interactions. The learning focus is the balance between productive (speaking and writing) and receptive (listening and reading) skills, supported by a number of grammar exercises and vocabulary.
In addition, the institute trains students to perform several Indonesian cultures, such as batik painting, mask crafting, karawitan, traditional dances, pencak silat, and calligraphy. To enrich the students’ horizons on Indonesian– Islamic cultural values, the program also offers visits to pesantrens and religious sites.
“Ma’had Sunan Ampel Al-‘Aly” Islamic Boarding Program
This program supports the University’s aim to internalize Islam-for-peace teachings and values through pesantren traditions. The students are taught Islamic tenets and nurtured to have deep spirituality and noble morality. The dormitory is supervised by a number of kyais and a supervisor board from Indonesia and overseas.
