Mataram, September 16, 2025 — The Faculty of Dharma Acarya at IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram officially launched the Community Service Program Dharma Acarya Goes to Pasraman as part of its commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The opening ceremony took place on campus and was attended by academic leaders, lecturers, students, and the Chairperson of the Perkumpulan Pendidik Pasraman Indonesia (PPPI).
This initiative is a follow-up to the collaboration between IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram and PPPI, aiming to strengthen the role of higher education in empowering local religious education institutions. The program involves students who are recipients of the KIP scholarship, who will conduct teaching and mentoring activities at 17 pasraman across Mataram every Saturday and Sunday for two months.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Rector of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, Prof. Dr. Ir. I Wayan Wirata, A.Ma., S.E., M.Si., M.Pd., who emphasized the importance of this program as a concrete realization of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously agreed upon. In his remarks, the Rector expressed his appreciation, noting that this initiative plays a vital role in enhancing the religious competence of pasraman students (sisya).
Also present at the event were the Chairperson of PPPI Mataram, Ir. Ni Nyoman Mariani, S.Ag., the Dean of the Faculty of Dharma Acarya, Prof. Dr. Siti Zaenab, S.Ag., M.Pd., CiQaR, as well as lecturers and academic staff from the Dharma Acarya Department. In her address, the Chairperson of PPPI Mataram warmly welcomed the involvement of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram in nurturing pasraman institutions, stressing that this collaboration strengthens the synergy between higher education and community-based religious education.
The Dean of the Faculty of Dharma Acarya, Prof. Dr. Siti Zaenab, S.Ag., M.Pd., CiQaR, also delivered her remarks during the ceremony. She expressed her deep appreciation for the program and conveyed her positive impression of the students’ enthusiasm to serve the community. She further stated that the Faculty is fully committed to supporting this initiative, highlighting that the involvement of students in pasraman activities not only enriches the community but also enhances the academic and spiritual growth of the students themselves.
The program is expected to provide meaningful contributions not only to the development of pasraman in Mataram but also to the students of IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram, who will gain valuable teaching and community engagement experiences aligned with the values of the SDGs.
Beyond strengthening academic-community partnerships, this initiative is closely tied to the achievement of SDG 4 (Quality Education). By sending students to teach at local pasraman, the program ensures that children and youth in Mataram have access to inclusive and equitable quality education rooted in cultural and religious values. This helps preserve local traditions while aligning with global educational standards.
The community service effort also touches upon SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), as it directly benefits children from diverse social and economic backgrounds, many of whom rely on pasraman as their primary access to religious and character education. Through the support of scholarship students, the program fosters equal opportunities for learning, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Finally, the initiative contributes to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showcasing how higher education institutions, educators, and community organizations can collaborate effectively for shared progress. The joint efforts between IAHN Gde Pudja Mataram and PPPI not only strengthen local capacity but also set an example of how partnerships can drive sustainable development at the grassroots level.
(by: DKS)