The Institute for Research and Community Service (LP2M) UIN Salatiga held a visit to 2 schools in Magelang which are part of the LP2M fostered schools on Monday, 12 September 2022. They visited MTs Negeri 4 Magelang and MI Maarif Donorojo in that occasion.
The group was led by the chairman of LP2M, Prof Irfan Helmy. In addition, Jaka Siswanta, M.Pd as secretary of LP2M, Sari Famularsih, M.A. as Head of Research, Drs. Juz’an, M.Hum as the Head of Community Service, and several staff of LP2M UIN Salatiga also joined the visit. During this event, an expert in the field of research from Germany, Prof. Reinhard Aehnelt, also accompanied and provided insight as well as direction for the progress of the fostered schools.
At MTs Negeri 4 Magelang, the group was welcomed by the Deputy Head of Curriculum, Lailatul Masfufah, M.Sc and several teachers participating in the book writing program organized by LP2M. There was a discussion about the progress of writing books by teachers and the outcome in the form of books with ISBN and HAKI certificates.
In her speech, the Deputy Head of Curriculum expected that this assistance should not be the end, but the beginning of other programs that will be fostered by LP2M. She stated that teachers need assistance, direction, and encouragement to keep going. Currently, she continued, there are 5 authors who have completed writing and the books are ready to be edited and published.
Meanwhile, Prof. Aehnelt admitted that he was very enthusiastic about the program, and stated that this was an extraordinary breakthrough that must be imitated in Germany. According to him, currently teachers are busier in administrative matters than working on their creation.
In his closing remarks, the head of LP2M congratulated the teachers who had finished writing the book. He stated that he would continue to work on the next program for one of his fostered schools.
As the following event, the group headed to MI Maarif Donorojo Magelang, and there the Headmaster, Teachers and students greeted enthusiastically. They invited the group to take pictures, see students’ work or creation, and continue to have a formal discussion.
Durrotun Nafisah S.Pd.I. as the headmaster expressed her happiness at the arrival of the LP2M group, and thanked for the guidance provided as it is very useful. Currently, public trust in madrasas is increasing proved by the increasing number of new students each year. The madrasa is also currently in the process to build the second floor of the building.
Prof. Aehnelt on this occasion gave many inputs to schools, including that teachers in rural areas must continue to innovate in the midst of technology. This point was also strengthened and emphasized by Prof. Irfan in his closing remarks at the end of the discussion.
It should be noted that the head of MI Maarif Donorejo is one of 100 madrasah in Magelang who are participants in the quality development fostering carried out by LP2M UIN Salatiga. The program is a form of LP2M’s commitment to continuously improve community service.