The implementation of the cooperation between the Faculty of Economics and Business,  University of Islam Malang with the Pondok Pesantren Foundation, and SMK Tarbiyatun Nasyiin Pacul Gowang Jombang, among others, held a Focus Group discussion with Vocational High School Leaders and Teachers discussing the development of Islamic Economics and Banking curriculum at the secondary education level on 30 May 2022 as stated by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Islamic University of Malang, Nur Diana SE, MSI at the MOU signing event that the presence of the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of  Islam Malang is to carry out cooperation in the fields of education, research and community service to collaborate in supporting progress between institutions that are both under the auspices of Nahdlatul Ulama.

"FEB UNISMA is under the auspices of LPTNU (Nahdlatul Ulama Higher Education Institution), and SMK Tarbiyatun Nasyiin is under the auspices of LP Maarif, so as an institution at the higher education level, it will support institutional development and human resources to increase institutional capacity," Diana said in front of the principal, teachers, students, and students. "FEB UNISMA has a sharia banking study program widely supported by industry partners, domestic and foreign universities, and professional associations that are useful in supporting curriculum development and improving graduate competence. This experience may be used as a benchmark in assisting the curriculum development at Tarbiyatun Nasyiin Vocational School to increase its competitiveness," Diana explained.

Diana further emphasized that one of the missions of the presence of FEB UNISMA was at the request and invitation of the Tarbiyatun Nasyiin Vocational School to provide Assistance in the Development of Islamic Economics and Banking Curriculum at the Secondary Education level through FGD activities. In this FGD, there were representatives from FEB UNISMA: Afifudin, SE., M.SA (Vice Dean I), Harun Alrasyid, Ph.D. (Head of Sharia Banking Study Program), Budi Wahono, SE., MM (Head of Management Study Program) and Junaidi, SE., M.SA (Head of Accounting Study Program). Meanwhile, SMK Tarbiyatun Nasyiin was attended by the Head of the Department and a team of teachers in the Islamic Banking department. In his presentation, Afifudin explained that the curriculum in the Islamic Banking Study Program for Vocational High Schools required collaboration with industry partners, such as Islamic banking or the non-banking financial industry. It aims to equip students with practical experience, not just theoretical.

Meanwhile, Harun added that in increasing the competitiveness of the UNISMA Islamic banking study program with other similar study programs in Malang, FEB UNISMA combines the existing curriculum with the development of digital finance because currently, the financial industry, including banking, cannot be separated from the impact of digital financial innovation. So prospective graduates of the Islamic banking study program are required not only to be able to carry out banking operations manually and computerized but also to be aware of the emergence of financial services that use technology (fintech). Meanwhile, SMK Tarbiyatun Nasyiin said that the curriculum offered was less adaptive to the developments and demands of the industrial world. On the one hand, the absorption of SMK graduates is low, and changes to the minimum educational qualifications for employees working in banking institutions are getting higher.

In response to this, FEB UNISMA recommends adding digital financial materials to the Islamic banking curriculum at Tarbiyatun Nasyiin Vocational School to increase the competitiveness of SMK students. In addition, FEB UNISMA also offers a human resource development cooperation program by establishing industrial partners as a place for internships, and involvement in curriculum development, such as OJK, Islamic banks, and sharia fintech institutions, to provide training and industrial internships for teachers and vocational students.

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