Preceeding the visit to Madura was a visit by Professor Kusmayanto Kadiman to Pesantren Tholibin in Rembang in Central Java on July 11th. The purpose of his earlier visit was to assess the operation of an Information Technology Kiosk or Warung Informasi Teknologi (Warintek) which had been equipped with four computers and which also was the recipient of computer training which included Open Source System Ubuntu Moslem Edition carried out from 4-6 May 2008. The minister also observed the operation of a water purification system installed by the State Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology or Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi (BPPT) as well as an informative session by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences or Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI.) on the farming of Milk fish.

The installation of the water purification system is hoped to meet drinking water supplies of  students and the surrounding communities of the Pesantren, while at the same time serve as a reasonably priced commodity. The proceeds from the sale of the water would help enhance the education experience of students at the Pesantren.

This initiative is part of the Indonesian government’s long-term plan to raise Indonesia’s  capabilities in information technology (IT). Moreover, the government is seeking out IT experts and launching several projects such as e-government, its National Education Network or Jaringan Pendidikan Nasional (Jardiknas) in addition to the provision of IT training.

Sampoerna Foundation is committed in its support of the government’s programs in the area of information technology (IT) and information and communication technologies (ICT) implementation in the field of education. Several ICT trainings have been conducted in the separate cabins of the Pesantren operating under MQIP, including sessions on the subjects of Microsoft Access at Pondok Pesantren Annuyqayah on 31 October – 5 November 2007, website development and digital library projects at Pondok Pesantren Raudlatuth Thalibin on 12-13 April 2008, and Open Source System and Web Server on 10-12 August 2008 at Pesantren Annuqayah, Sumenep.

“This initiative is part of a collaboration with Sampoerna Foundation and Pondok Pesantren Raudlatuth Thalibin through the Madrasah Quality Improvement Program (MQIP). The program is a practice of our commitment to raise the quality of education in Indonesia’s Islamic Foundations” said Eddy F. Henry, Director of Programs and Alumni Affairs Sampoerna Foundation.

According to data from the Ministry of National Education, 30% of Indonesian students study in Madrasahs, with most of them coming from low-income families with no financial assistance to continue their studies. Considering the large number of Indonesian children unable to obtain a quality education, the likelihood that these students might be affected by extremists groups who offer them short-cut solutions to end their poverty is an issue in need of immediate attention.

Since February 2006, Sampoerna Foundation (SF) through its Madrasah Quality Improvement Program (MQIP) has collaborated with Pondok Pesantren Annuqayah Madura and Pondok Pesantren Raudlatuth Thalibin, Rembang. At Pondok Pesantren Annugqayahm, SF has partnered with two Madrasah Aliyahs, namely Madrasah Aliyah 1 Annuqayah Putri and Madrasah Aliyah 1 Annuqayah Putra. At Pondok Pesantren Raudlatuth Tholibin, Rembang which overseas Madrasah Diniyah Raudlatuth Tholibin Banin, SF has partnered with Madrasah Mu’allimin Mu’allimat and Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Rembang. Thus, a total of five Madrasahs are currently under the auspices of Sampoerna Foundation’s MQIP program is five.

Through this collaboration, Sampoerna Foundation hopes to carry out its commitment towards increasing teacher quality, school management and extra curricular activities at the Madrasahs which will eventually improve human resource quality, while at the same time restore the image of Islam as the leader in culture, pluralism and peace.