Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka encouraged Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) to begin integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics training into their curriculum.
"Mr. Gibran said that activities in pesantren should begin to be directed toward the development of AI and robotics," Deputy Caretaker of Walisongo Islamic Boarding School, Muhammad Bahrul Mustawa, said after receiving the visit, as quoted from the Vice President’s Secretariat statement here on Thursday.
VP Gibran, accompanied by Sragen District Head Sigit Pamungkas, was warmly welcomed by the community of Walisongo Islamic Boarding School. On that occasion, Gibran distributed stationery packages to the students as a form of support for their education.
A special meeting was later held between the Vice President and the caretaker of Walisongo Islamic Boarding School, K.H. Ma’ruf Islamuddin. Mustawa said the meeting took place in a warm and familial atmosphere, marked by prayers and hopes for the success of national leadership.
During the dialogue, VP Gibran outlined several priority government programs that are ongoing and some that will be implemented. These programs include the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), the establishment of a Directorate General for Islamic Boarding Schools at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the provision of Hajj housing.
Regarding human resource development, he emphasized the importance of developing digital talent within pesantren. This aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive for the younger generation, including Islamic boarding school students or santri, to be prepared to face future technological challenges.
After completing his agenda in Sragen, the Vice President continued his visit to Az-Zayadiyy Islamic Boarding School in Surakarta City. There, he met the school's caretaker, K.H. Abdul Karim, where they discussed pesantrens' role in supporting government programs.
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