Thai Alumnus of UNU Jogja's Elementary School Teacher Education Program Contributes to Strengthening Islamic Education in His Home Country

Pattani, Thailand – An alumnus of the Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) Program at the Faculty of Education, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), has once again demonstrated the University's global impact. Kholed Abu, a Thai alumnus who graduated from PGSD UNU Jogja in 2023, successfully completed his master's degree in the Islamic Educational Administration and Management Program (IEAMP) at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, Thailand, in 2026.

Beyond earning his master's degree, Kholed also published a scientific article entitled The Influence of Servant Leadership on the Job Performance of Teachers in Islamic Private Schools in Pattani Province in the Journal of MCU Peace Studies, a prestigious publication indexed in the Thai Journal Citation Index (TCI) Tier 1. His research examined the influence of servant leadership on teacher performance in Islamic private schools in Pattani Province.

Kholed's study found that servant leadership practices—particularly the dimensions of developing others, active listening, and service-oriented leadership—significantly contribute to improving teachers' performance. The findings are expected to serve as a valuable reference for strengthening the governance of Islamic schools in Thailand, particularly in Pattani Province, where Islamic education plays a central role.

Kholed's academic journey has been accompanied by a strong commitment to educational service. After graduating from PGSD UNU Jogja in 2023, he immediately returned to Thailand to teach at his former school. A year later, he pursued a master's degree at Prince of Songkla University, specializing in Islamic educational administration and management.

In 2025, Kholed was entrusted with additional responsibilities as an administrative staff member at the school where he teaches. Now, after completing his master's degree, he is preparing to take on a more strategic role in school management as part of efforts to enhance the quality of Islamic education in Thailand.

Kholed shared that his long-term ambition is to become a school principal so he can contribute more broadly to improving Islamic education in his country. However, under current Thai government regulations, he must first fulfill the required years of professional experience before becoming eligible for the position.

"My next goal is to become a school principal. At the moment, I still need to meet the professional requirements set by the government. God willing, in about two years I will be eligible. I hope to apply the knowledge I gained during my studies to improve school management and strengthen the quality of Islamic education in Thailand," said Kholed.

For Kholed, his education at UNU Jogja laid a strong foundation for developing critical thinking, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to service—qualities that he continued to cultivate throughout his master's studies. Today, he applies these values through teaching, school administration, and research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in Islamic educational management.

Kholed's Academic Advisor, Mustamid, M.Pd., recalled that Kholed's journey at PGSD UNU Jogja was far from easy. Alongside several fellow students from Thailand, he had to learn Bahasa Indonesia from scratch while simultaneously adapting to a new academic system, culture, and environment.

"Kholed and several other Thai students at PGSD UNU Jogja went through their studies with remarkable perseverance. They had to learn Bahasa Indonesia from the very beginning while adapting to Indonesian culture, campus life, and the academic system. Despite these challenges, Kholed did not focus solely on his own success. He remained actively involved in student organizations and served as an officer in the Thai Student Association. Today, all of his hard work and aspirations have come to fruition. As lecturers, we are immensely proud to see him not only earn a master's degree but also return home to dedicate his knowledge to advancing education in Thailand," he said.

As a university in Yogyakarta committed to producing globally competitive graduates, UNU Jogja continues to support international students in becoming not only successful academics but also agents of positive change in their home countries. Kholed Abu's journey exemplifies how UNU Jogja alumni can apply the knowledge, experience, and values they acquire during their studies to strengthen educational quality and contribute to human resource development in Thailand. [Latifah]