Islamic Character Education for Student of Public Higher Education in Indonesia

Abstract

Islamic characters must be inherent for every muslim student, and even for all the muslims. This is because characters direct behaviour and attitude in real society life that relate closely to moral values. Take the words of wisdom "If wealth is lost, nothing is lost; if health is lost, something is lost; if character is lost, all is lost, everything is lost." In the Islamic belief, the most excellent character should only be based on the Islamic character. For muslim student studying at the non-religion study program, the emphasis of the study is based on the goal for achieving learning outcomes of knowledge and practical skills, also called personal competencies. These don't relate to the Islamic character building, but it is believed as a process for character building in general means. With the "fitrah" attached to a person from birth, his heart will feel empty if it is not filled with the "Divine" or "God" aspect. In contrast, with the heavy duties and tasks related to academic courses and activities, almost no other focus is available for concerning the religion in manner. With the respect to the Law of National Education System in Indonesia, education is a process to produce graduates with excellent attitude, professional in the science and technology field and adaptable in the society. In the public higher education, the total credits that must be completed for finishing study is at least 144 credits, and only 2 credits serve for Islamic Studies, which is too few to build an excellence Islamic character. The concept proposed and already implemented by two biggest universities in Malang, Universitas Brawijaya and Universitas Negeri Malang is interconnected and interrelated between the Belief or Faith (religion sciences) to the other fields such natural sciences, economics and political sciences, social and humanity sciences and other life sciences. These should be implemented gradually and continuously as non-curricular program, involving faculty staffs, Religion Studies lecturer, and senior students as practical assistants.