Batam, June 8, 2008. The Ma’arif Nahdlatul Ulama (Ma’arif) educational institution and Sampoerna Foundation (SF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) toward improving and expanding the education sector in Indonesia. The signing was done by H. M. Toyib I. M, chairman of  Ma’arif and Sapto Sakti, Director of Communication for SF at the Haji Batam Dormitory Auditorium, Batam Center, on the sidelines of a seminar and workshop for the development of a Muslim boarding school based high school. (06/08).

After the signing, Sapto explained that this agreement had a strategic significance for Sampoerna Foundation and the development of education in Indonesia. ”NU is Indonesia’s largest mass Islamic organization, and Ma’arif is an institution run under the auspices of NU. With this MoU signed between SF and NU a greater effort can be made to improve the quality of education in Indonesia, especially the vast Muslim community,” said Sapto.

Fathoni Rodli, one of the Ma’arif managers said that the program that would go into implementation immediately would feature teacher training. “The initial phase of the program will be directed at teacher training because we have agreed that teachers are among the most important elements of education in Indonesia. We will also touch on teachers’ capability to use communication and information technology. Hopefully this program will be up and running in the next few months,” Fathoni said.

The Ma’arif Nahdlatul Ulama education institution is the second Islam based body, after Dompet Dhuafa, to sign a MoU with SF in 2008.   As well, Batam has been selected by Ma’arif as the location for the planned Muslim boarding school based international standard high school due to Batam strategic proximity to Singapore.