The ‘Madrasah Goes Abroad’ program is designed to ensure ‘madrasah’ students go beyond merely acquiring English language skills; it also aims to familiarize them with the admission processes of foreign universities.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs was discussing a partnership with the University of Melbourne, Australia, to develop the ‘Madrasah Goes Abroad’ program while also exploring schemes for student exchanges, scholarships, and research collaboration.

A madrasah a formal school with Islamic religious characteristics whose curriculum combines general and Islamic lessons.

The discussion took place during a visit by a University of Melbourne delegation to the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs on Thursday (August 20, 2026), the ministry announced on its website.

The meeting served as a follow-up to a visit by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs to Australia, which included a trip to the renowned university campus.

The ‘Madrasah Goes Abroad’ program—a key component of this partnership—is designed to ensure that madrasah students do not stop at simply acquiring English language proficiency but also gain insight into the admission processes of foreign universities.

Participants receive guidance on everything from identifying target campuses and understanding application procedures to writing essays and securing a Letter of Acceptance (LoA).

Thus, the overseas experience becomes more than just an academic visit; it becomes an integral part of preparing for further education.

In 2026, the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs expanded the program's scope. Participation includes students from various other top-tier madrasahs.

The program is provided to participants free of charge, with mentoring and coaching conducted by a team from the Raden Fatah University which is a state Islamic university in Indonesia’s Palembang City, South Sumatra Province.

Opportunities in Melbourne span multiple disciplines. The University of Melbourne offers study options in fields such as Islamic studies, arts, and engineering and information technology.

The university comprises nine faculties and has a student body of over 70,000, approximately 45 percent of whom are international students.

Efforts are also underway to extend this collaboration to higher levels of study. The two parties discussed student exchanges, scholarships for master and doctoral levels, and joint research initiatives.

However, one key detail requires clarification before the partnership advances further: the number of prospective students to be directed to the University of Melbourne.

The number is a factor the university considers when determining the type of support and scholarship schemes to offer.

This means the collaboration encompasses more than just exchange programs; it aims to establish a clear pathway from madrasas to higher education institutions in Australia.

Nyayu Khadijah, Director of Curriculum, Facilities, Institutional Affairs, and Student Affairs for Madrasas at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that the partnership is expected to extend beyond the ‘Madrasah Goes Abroad’ initiative.

The ministry aims to expand the relationship with the University of Melbourne across various educational sectors.

"This partnership is not limited to the 'Madrasah Goes Abroad' program; it can open up a wider range of collaborative opportunities," Nyayu Khadijah said.

The ministry hopes that the drafting of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two institutions is expected to be promptly followed up.

Such an MoU is expected to create a broader and more sustainable framework for cooperation.

Support has also been pledged by the Australian Embassy in Indonesia. Australian representatives expressed their readiness to help promote study opportunities in Australia to madrasah students.

For the ministry, this partnership goes beyond merely providing opportunities for students to study abroad. There is a greater ambition: to integrate madrasas into the global education network and offer students more choices when determining their academic futures.

Thus, madrasas would no longer be viewed solely as an education pathway oriented toward the domestic sphere.

Through programs like ‘Madrasah Goes Abroad,’ students are being prepared to open doors to world-class universities—including the University of Melbourne.

Reporting by Indonesia Window