Islamic Boarding Schools Should Foster Entrepreneurship: President Jokowi
Islamic boarding schools and santri (students of Islamic boarding schools) should play an increasingly important role in fostering entrepreneurship, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has stated.
“We must encourage more entrepreneurs from santri and alumni of Islamic boarding schools. The orientation of santri should no longer be looking for job, but creating job opportunities for the communities,” the President said on Friday (22/10).
The President also said that the role of Islamic boarding schools, Islamic schools, and Islamic higher education is very strategic in producing graduates who are innovative and entrepreneurial, competitive in the job market, and successful in becoming social entrepreneurs.
The entrepreneurial spirit, he added, must be supported by the acceleration of financial inclusion and the Government has prepared various schemes, including the micro financing Mekaar, the small business financing KUR and the Micro Waqf Bank.
“I hope that Islamic boarding schools and santri can make the most of various financing programs to play a greater role in strengthening the people’s economy,” the President said.
The President also underscored the importance of digital transformation to encourage micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enter the global market.
“We must continue to encourage our micro, small and medium enterprises to go digital, access online stores, access marketplace, access e-commerce, access national and global supply chains, and become a major player in the growth of halal industry on the global stage,” the President remarked. (FID/UN-PR of Cabinet Secretariat) (RI/MUR)