"We need to produce 'santripreneurs,' or Islamic boarding school students, who are well-versed at reciting the Qu'ran and running businesses," Amin remarked in his speech delivered at an event to inaugurate the Syubbanul Wathon Hospital in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday.
The vice president expressed belief that with the presence of large numbers of Muslim students possessing sound entrepreneurship skills, the sharia-based economy in Indonesia can be boosted, adding that Islamic boarding schools should partake in creating groups of trained Muslim entrepreneurs.
"Hence, Islamic boarding schools do not merely produce Islamic experts. Instead, they are also demanded to prepare their graduates through the inculcation of specific knowledge and skills," he explained.
The "Santri Gus Iwan" Program is initiated by Vice President Amin in his endeavor to empower the santris, or students of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, with humanity and sound Islamic knowledge as well as make them adept at running businesses.
The Santri Gus Iwan Program reiterates the pressing need to prepare Islamic boarding school students to develop an inclination to read the holy Qur'an and gain a sound understanding of the values of Indonesian nationalism. It is also bolstered through entrepreneurship trainings.
Producing more entrepreneurs in Indonesia has become the nation’s pressing need to boost the economy and offer solutions to unemployment issues.
Sandiaga Uno, former rival of Amin during this year's presidential race, has, for instance, initiated the "OK OCE" movement for creating "One Center for Entrepreneurship" for one city and district.
The movement should be pushed to boost growth and development of small and medium entrepreneurs and business clusters based on each of the regions' business potentials.
If the region has huge potentials in plantations, the agropreneurs will be encouraged to become well-developed there. Related news: santris encouraged to become entrepreneurs
Related news: Ma`ruf amin attends national santri day ceremony in Tasikmalaya
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Translator: Fransiska N, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
