An internationally recognized pre-university curriculum widely accepted as qualification for higher education across the world, receiving authorization for the IBDP is a momentous occasion for Al Hikmah as it makes them the first ever IIBS in Indonesia to achieve this status.

“We feel that earning this authorization is a critical development for Al Hikmah because we want to give our students a competitive edge anywhere in the world.”

Ahmad Fais, principal of Al Hikmah says. Adding that aside from being a global curriculum, the IBDP provides Al Hikmah with a vast network of universities that can offer his students meaningful opportunities.

”The community and ecosystem that we are entering, I think is what's most invaluable for our students.”

In preparation for the integration of the IBDP to Al Hikmah, Fais notes that there were two key efforts that his institution conducted. Namely, upskilling their academic staff, as well as improving their campus facilities.

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”Over the past year we had our existing teachers go through training so that they can attain IBDP certification. Though this was more challenging than hiring new educators, we felt that it was worth it to invest in our current staff because they already had a deep understanding of Al Hikmah’s alignment with the Islamic values.”

Furthermore, the campus went through a rigorous assessment of their laboratory facilities and made changes to ensure that they meet international standards. With Fais noting that the past year of improvements has created an Al Hikmah that can accommodate all the scientific experiments students will have to conduct for the IBDP in the safest environment possible.

However, the aspect which Fais emphasizes the most is how this new chapter of Al Hikmah is a chance for them to create a learning environment that is both global minded and is rooted in core Islamic values.

“What we hope to achieve is to prove that being a critical globally minded student can indeed run parallel with having a strong Islamic foundation. It’s not necessarily one or the other.”

For this first batch of IBDP students in the upcoming school year, Al Hikmah is offering a variety of courses that students can freely choose from depending on their academic plans for the future. This initial selection of IBDP courses include: mathematics, biology, chemistry, Bahasa Indonesia, English, business management, economics, and history. Though plans are already in motion to work towards earning more courses to offer for students after this first cohort.

”We want to make sure that our teachers are up to standards first, but we also want to give our students a healthy combination of courses for whatever academic path they decide to take.” Fais states, commenting that this is the optimal amount of courses currently, to balance the quality of education and the opportunities for his students.

Regarding this incoming change, Fais notes that the students at Al Hikmah are somewhat intimidated but ultimately excited to undergo this new experience.

“They are quote-unquote scared, but thankfully our students are mostly invigorated by this upcoming change.” Fais says with a chuckle.

Fais added that although the IBDP will be challenging, his students fully comprehend how the program acts as a vehicle that can propel them to the world stage.

”It’s really fascinating, the current year 10 students who are choosing to do the IBDP next semester have this motivation to make themselves worthy of doing the program. They go to the library more, they test each other, there's this emergent culture of independence and initiative even before the IBDP starts for them.”

Hilda Ayuning Tyas, a mother whose son will be undergoing the IBDP at Al Hikmah next year, echoes the sentiment, saying.

“He was excited from the very beginning. But he is also aware that this is a huge new responsibility, so I would say he’s intentionally enthusiastic. He knows it won’t be easy for him, but he believes it will be worth it for his future.”

From a parent’s perspectives, Hilda also agrees that embracing this new curriculum is a positive change for Al Hikmah and its students. Noting that on top of expanded opportunities, the program shapes students to be critical thinkers with a layered global perspective.

”I understand that this will open a much wider academic horizon for my son, but I am more excited about the kind of education he will experience in the next couple of years. He won’t just learn information, but he’ll be questioning, reflecting and critically analyzing the material he’ll encounter in class.”

Ultimately, this development spells great potential for the students of Al Hikmah, with both the staff of the institution and the parents of students conveying that this new experience will be beneficial for their students’ lives outside an academic context as well.

“Now especially, having my son undergo an international curriculum is so important because the world he’ll face is so much larger than what I grew up in. Through Al Hikmah with the IBDP I’m confident that my son will turn out to be a global citizen that has a strong grasp on Islamic culture.” Hilda says.

For Fais, ”these high school years are the critical point in which students build a strong foundation. With the IBDP I think we can encourage our students to be so much more competitive, to shape them into competent global leaders. Because the independent learning habits they form with this program will carry over to university, and ultimately to their professional careers.”

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