Final-Year Students at UNU Jogja Required to Take Quran Reading Test for Graduation

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) has conducted a pesantren-based assessment, including a Quran reading test, classical Islamic text (kitab kuning) comprehension, NU-related knowledge, and Aswaja (Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah) studies for final-year students as a requirement for graduation.

This initiative reflects UNU Jogja’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also grounded in strong religious values.

The program, attended by dozens of eighth-semester students, forms part of the university’s character-building system rooted in Islamic principles. Beyond measuring academic readiness for graduation, the assessment ensures that students possess sufficient spiritual understanding before entering society and the professional world.

The Director of Aswaja Affairs at UNU Jogja, Ahmad Hujaj Nur Rohim, explained that the test is designed to evaluate students’ fundamental ability to read the Quran and understand Islamic teachings based on the Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah An-Nahdliyah tradition.

“Through this program, UNU Jogja students are shaped into professionals who are not only competent in their respective fields but also possess strong religious foundations,” he stated on Monday, May 4.

During the assessment, students are evaluated on several components, including Quran reading proficiency, the ability to read and explain kitab kuning, NU-related knowledge, and Aswaja insights. Students from the Indonesian Islamic Studies program (SII) are tested using the Taqrib text, while students from other programs are assessed using Safinah.

Students are declared successful if they can read the Quran fluently and demonstrate adequate understanding of the classical texts. Those who do not meet the requirements are provided with intensive training and mentoring until they are ready to retake the test.

In the first phase, the results showed a positive outcome. Out of 70 participants, only five students did not pass. This achievement reflects the effectiveness of the university’s religious development programs implemented since the early semesters.

Each participant undergoes approximately 20 minutes of assessment, during which examiners evaluate reading skills, comprehension, and accuracy. The examiners are drawn from the university’s internal Directorate of Mosques and Aswaja Affairs.

As a university rooted in Nahdlatul Ulama values, UNU Jogja places strong emphasis on religious character education as an integral part of its academic system.

Quran Reading Training Introduced from Early Semesters

Since their early semesters, students have been equipped with structured religious development programs, including Quran literacy training, NU religious practices (amaliah ke-NU-an), foundational classical text studies, and guided worship practices. These programs serve as the foundation to prepare students for their final religious assessments before graduation.

Beyond being an administrative requirement, the Quran reading test also reflects UNU Jogja’s identity as a Nahdlatul Ulama-based institution that preserves the tradition of classical and moderate Islamic scholarship.

“The tradition of studying kitab kuning plays a crucial role in shaping graduates who possess deep religious understanding, tolerance, and relevance to contemporary challenges,” Ahmad Hujaj concluded.

Through this initiative, UNU Jogja aims to produce graduates who are professional, religious, and of strong character, capable of becoming role models in society. By integrating academic competence with spirituality, graduates are expected to compete in the workforce without losing their moral and ethical values. [Latifah]