UNU Jogja to Launch Bilingual Islamic Elementary School Pilot Project with NU Schools in Bantul

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) is preparing to launch a pilot project for bilingual Islamic elementary schools in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The initiative follows a research project conducted by the Nahdlatul Ulama Institute for Human Resource Studies and Development (Lakpesdam NU DIY) on the development of model NU schools.

Preparations for the program were discussed during a coordination meeting attended by Joko Susilo, Director of Community Engagement and the Social Laboratory (Labsos); Labsos team members Yusnita Ike Christanti and Saeroni; Academic Director Harisna Hikmah; Head of the English Language Education Study Program Khusnul Harsul; Strategic Partnership Office representative Tri Yuliani; Lakpesdam NU Bantul representative Umi Masruroh; and representatives of MI Ma'arif Giriloyo II Bantul, Afif Zuyyina and Nurul.

The pilot project will be implemented through a collaboration between selected NU Islamic elementary schools (Madrasah Ibtidaiyah), LP Ma'arif NU Bantul, and UNU Jogja. The initiative is integrated into the university's Living Labs (Labsos) program as part of the Faculty of Education's strategic roadmap for community engagement.

According to Joko Susilo, Director of Labsos at UNU Jogja, the program represents the implementation of the university's Living Labs approach, which promotes an open innovation ecosystem by bringing together universities, schools, and communities to co-create practical solutions that address real educational needs while generating sustainable impact.

"This pilot project marks the first step in building a collaborative model between higher education institutions and NU Islamic elementary schools under LP Ma'arif NU. Through the Living Labs approach, we aim to ensure that innovations are not only grounded in academic research but also emerge from the actual needs of schools and create long-term impact. We hope this model can be replicated by other madrasahs as part of strengthening the NU education ecosystem," he said.

The bilingual school initiative will include a series of school capacity-building programs, including the establishment of English and Arabic bilingual classes through teacher professional development, curriculum enhancement, and instructional improvement.

Additional activities will include teacher training workshops, public speaking and English Club programs for students, the development of interactive learning media, as well as mentoring in school governance and digital transformation.

Mustaghfiroh Rahayu, Dean of the Faculty of Education, explained that the faculty will contribute by strengthening human resource capacity through an integrated mentoring approach covering teacher competency development, curriculum design, and school management improvement.

"Educational empowerment cannot rely solely on short-term training. More importantly, it requires building systems that continuously enhance educators' competencies and strengthen school governance. Through this collaboration, the Faculty of Education seeks to provide meaningful assistance that enables madrasahs to grow independently and sustainably," she said.

The program will be coordinated by the English Language Education Study Program under the leadership of Khusnul Harsul, with support from lecturers across multiple study programs and university units according to their respective areas of expertise.

The pilot project is scheduled to begin in September 2026 at three partner schools: MI Giriloyo, MI Sambeng, and MI Sananul Ula. These schools are expected to serve as demonstration models for bilingual Islamic elementary education that can later be replicated across other NU madrasahs in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

As a university committed to community engagement, UNU Jogja continues to strengthen its role as a strategic partner in educational development. Through collaboration among higher education institutions, schools, and community organizations, the initiative is expected to foster educational innovation that improves learning quality, enhances teacher competencies, and equips students with the skills needed to thrive in a global environment while preserving Islamic and Nahdlatul Ulama values. [Latifah]