Thursina International Islamic Boarding School (IIBS) continues to strengthen its support for students pursuing higher education abroad through the Al-Azhar Pre-University Camp, held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Leiden Meeting Room.
Organised by Secretarial Affairs and Partnership, the programme was designed to prepare Thursina’s 7th Batch alumni for their upcoming studies at Al-Azhar University, Egypt.
The Coordinator of Al-Azhar University Orientation and Manager of Alumni Relation & Development, Ustaz Robby Amrullah Q. M., M.Pd., Dip.Ed., explained that Thursina seeks to ensure that its alumni are adequately prepared not only for their departure, but also for the academic and personal challenges they will encounter throughout their studies in Egypt.
“Our goal is not only for them to be ready to enter Al-Azhar. They must also be ready to continue their studies successfully and graduate from Al-Azhar. Therefore, their language skills, academic readiness, mental preparation, independence, and adaptability need to be developed before they begin their life as university students in Egypt,” said Ustaz Robby.
The programme covered two key areas: Language Readiness and Academic & Curriculum Readiness. Participants strengthened their language skills while gaining a better understanding of the curriculum, learning methods, academic demands, and expectations they will encounter during their studies.
The Al-Azhar & Student Life Orientation session further introduced participants to student life and the learning culture in Egypt. This preparation is intended to help minimise the gap between their expectations before departure and the realities they may encounter upon arrival.
Al-Azhar itself has a history of education spanning more than a thousand years. The institution traces its roots to Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, established in 970–972 CE, which later developed into one of the world’s major centres of Islamic learning. Its modernisation in 1961 expanded its academic fields to include medicine, engineering, commerce, agriculture, and various other disciplines.
In addition to academic preparation, the programme placed strong emphasis on Mental & Personal Readiness. Alumni were encouraged to develop discipline, independence, self-management, and resilience as essential qualities for living and studying in a new environment.
Adaptability & Sustainability was also an important component of the programme. Participants were equipped with strategies to identify challenges, make appropriate decisions, establish support systems, and maintain consistency in their studies despite academic pressures and everyday challenges.
“Studying abroad brings students into a very different environment. We want our alumni to understand that when challenges arise, they need to think clearly, find solutions, build a strong support network, and stay focused on their goals until they complete their education,” explained Ustaz Robby.
The programme reflects Thursina’s RECODING Value of Caring. For Thursina, supporting students’ aspirations does not end when they graduate from school or gain admission to university. This support continues by equipping alumni with the skills, resilience, and maturity required to pursue their chosen educational pathways responsibly.
The programme also aims to establish a shared understanding among alumni, parents, and the school. With aligned expectations, departure for Egypt is not regarded as the final achievement, but rather as the beginning of an educational journey that requires resilience, independence, and maturity. (izz)
