FEBI News| Pattani, Thailand, September 29, 2024 – Today, Asep Maulana Rohimat, M.S.I, a lecturer from the Sharia Business Management (MBS) Program at the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI), UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta, delivered an international guest lecture to students at Fatoni University, Thailand. The lecture, titled “Islamic Social Entrepreneurship: The Role of Pesantren in Driving Socio-Economic Innovation,” was organized at the invitation of the ASEAN Center for Indonesia Studies at Fatoni University, chaired by Asst. Prof. Mahamadaree Waena.
In his lecture, Asep Maulana Rohimat highlighted the strategic role of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) as centers of Islamic education in fostering Sharia-based social entrepreneurship. He emphasized how pesantren, deeply rooted in local communities, have great potential to drive sustainable social and economic innovation. “Pesantren are not only religious educational institutions but also engines of social empowerment through Islamic social entrepreneurship,” he noted.
The lecture received a warm response from students representing three countries—Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia—who showed keen interest in the discussion on social entrepreneurship in the Islamic world, particularly in Indonesia. This diverse participation reflects the broader regional interest in the potential of pesantren to contribute to socio-economic development across Southeast Asia.
Asst. Prof. Mahamadaree Waena, Head of the ASEAN Center for Indonesia Studies, expressed his appreciation for Asep Maulana Rohimat’s participation. “We are grateful for his contribution in sharing knowledge and experience with our students. This topic is highly relevant to the development of Sharia-based economies in the ASEAN region,” he stated.
This international guest lecture is part of ongoing efforts by Fatoni University Thailand and FEBI UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta to strengthen academic collaboration and cross-country knowledge exchange in the field of Islamic economics.
