Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from an original news release by the Center of Excellence (CoE) MSME & Halal Telkom University and has been rewritten for the RI‑IBSE website to highlight relevant innovations.
Pesantren economy development is at the heart of the collaboration between Al-Bahjah Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon and the Center of Excellence (CoE) MSME & Halal Telkom University. On 30 July 2025, both institutions launched a strategic training program to strengthen pesantren business management and enhance Sharia-compliant entrepreneurship. Held at the Maulid Al-Bahjah Building, the event brought together pesantren leaders, business unit managers, and experts from Telkom University to explore modern business strategies for sustainable growth.
Professionalizing Pesantren Enterprises
Endang, Head of CoE MSME & Halal, emphasized that Pesantren economy development can become a strong driver for community welfare when managed with modern and systematic approaches. She stressed the need for pesantren to adopt professional management systems without compromising their religious values.
Iman delivered a session explaining how the holding company model enables synergy among business units, creating efficiency and fostering long-term growth. Arif outlined the technical process of forming a pesantren business holding, including asset mapping, establishing a legal entity, and managing operations through an integrated information system.
Exploring Sustainable Business Opportunities
The program also explored promising ventures to support Pesantren economy development, including rice production, bottled drinking water, and garment manufacturing. Endang highlighted rice production as a strategic initiative that meets internal needs while generating sustainable income from the wider community. Nuslih presented the potential for bottled drinking water as a profitable and scalable product. Galuh discussed the garment unit’s opportunities in the Muslim fashion market, aiming to create both revenue and employment.
These ventures aim to reinforce the pesantren’s role in building long-term economic resilience and community empowerment.
Commitment to Long-Term Collaboration
Participants expressed strong enthusiasm for the ideas and strategies shared during the training, acknowledging that the insights were practical and highly relevant to advancing Pesantren economy development. Many appreciated how the approaches blended professional management techniques with the preservation of pesantren values.
This initiative marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between Telkom University and the Al-Bahjah Foundation. Future plans include ongoing business mentoring, integrated management system implementation, and continuous training to sustain and expand Pesantren economy development efforts.
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Prepared by Zahrasita Permata T.D | Photos by CoE MSME & Halal Telkom University