Scholarship Program Research Articles

Review of Islamic Economic Ethics on Empowerment of Zakat, Infak and Sedekah Funds Through Scholarship Program at Rumah Zakat

Indonesia is a country with a Muslim majority. Where zakat is obligatory for Muslims. The potential of zakat funds is also quite large to improve the welfare of all people. The distribution and utilization of zakat is very important and must be distributed fairly and correctly in accordance with Islamic law. A trustworthy Zakat Amil Institution (LAZ) is needed to collect and distribute zakat funds, such as Rumah Zakat which has been established for 26 years to collect and distribute zakat funds. There are many zakat fund empowerment programs at Rumah Zakat, such as the empowerment of zakat, infaq and alms for education through champion school scholarships. In empowering ZIS funds, Rumah Zakat is in accordance with the principles of Islamic economic ethics. Therefore, researchers are interested in analyzing the review of Islamic economic ethics in the empowerment of zakat, infaq and alms funds through scholarship programs at Rumah Zakat. The research method used is a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, as well as interviews. The results of this study are a review of Islamic economic ethics in the empowerment of zakat, infak and sedekah funds through scholarship programs at Rumah Zakat which are in accordance with the principles of Islamic economic ethics, namely tauhid (the oneness of God), justice (al-'adl), welfare (maslahah) and amanah (responsibility). And have distributed scholarships to asnaf fakir, poor, amil, ibnu sabil, fisabilillah and gharimin.

Education and Welfare: The Role of Public Policy in Equalizing Educational Opportunities for the South Papua Generation

This research aims to identify public policies that increase access to education in South Papua, analyze their impact on educational equality, and evaluate the factors that influence the effectiveness of these policies, including the social, economic, and cultural challenges faced by local communities. This research uses qualitative methods and a case study approach to investigate the role of public policy in improving access and quality of education in Merauke Regency, especially Waan District. Through a purposive sampling approach, this research selected a representative sample to explore challenges and solutions in education in the region. The research instrument includes indicators such as access to education, quality of education, community involvement, and the impact of education policies, which will be analyzed comprehensively using a qualitative approach. The research results show that public policy has increased access to education in South Papua through infrastructure, scholarship programs, and improving the quality of teachers and curriculum. The development of educational infrastructure, including school buildings and learning facilities, has a positive impact on the accessibility and quality of education in the region. The scholarship program needs to be updated to reach the right targets and be effective for the people who need it. Improving teacher quality and adjusting the curriculum supports education standards in South Papua, but needs to be further encouraged through continuous training. Social factors such as economic inequality, gender inequality, and traditional culture influence access to education, requiring a holistic approach to education policy. Keywords: education, well-being, public policy, educational opportunities, South Papuan Generation

The Resident Scholars Program for Workforce Diversity: A Qualitative Study About Supporting Family Medicine Abortion Providers

Background and Objectives: While workforce diversity helps mitigate health inequities, few initiatives support prospective abortion providers who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM). To address this issue, Reproductive Health Education in Family Medicine established the Resident Scholars Program for Workforce Diversity (RSPWD), a year-long program for URiM and other Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) residents committed to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) provision. Program elements include: (a) mentorship by BIPOC family physicians; (b) virtual didactic sessions about SRH integration into primary care, advocacy, leadership, reproductive justice, and patient-centered care; (3) conference sponsorship; and (4) community-building among residents and mentors. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with the program’s first cohort of residents and mentors to examine perspectives about program successes and needed improvements. We used a semistructured interview guide along with a direct contact analysis approach. Results: We interviewed eight scholars and four mentors. From the interviews, we gleaned data on three main themes: (a) value of mentorship, (b) importance of community, and (c) program improvement suggestions. Scholars expressed appreciation for SRH mentorship from BIPOC mentors who had lived experiences similar to their own, noted the mentorship’s importance for career-building, and spoke positively of their sense of safe community among all program participants. Respondents shared suggestions for improved scheduling and requested better guidance for navigating the mentee–mentor relationship. Conclusions: The RSPWD success is reflected in the enthusiasm and gratitude for the program and the resulting mentorship and community that fostered supportive personal and professional relationships, including career opportunities. When considering the importance yet dearth of workforce diversification in family medicine, this program offers a promising model for supporting a more diverse and representative future SRH workforce that may apply to other family medicine clinical niches.

The Health Equity Scholars Program: Fostering Culturally Competent and Successful Independent Investigators in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Research.

The Health Equity Scholars Program (HESP) addresses the critical need for a diverse, culturally competent workforce to study and treat older adults from underrepresented populations (URPs) with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). The HESP offers tailored mentored training in AD/ADRD research concepts, aiming to develop successful independent researchers. It recruits Scholars from underrepresented backgrounds as well as those passionate about AD/ADRD health equity research. We (1) describe the fundamental elements of the HESP, and (2) present preliminary data from the HESP program evaluation results performed by an outside agency, pre-post participation surveys, and Scholar accomplishments. The HESP Scholars reported high rates of proficiency, satisfaction, and competency in nearly all evaluated areas, and have been successful in obtaining grants, promotions, and publications. These initial outcomes data suggest that the HESP is meeting its objective of diversifying the workforce in the field of AD/ADRD research and care. The Health Equity Scholars Program aims to cultivate a diverse and culturally competent workforce, who are well-prepared to study and treat underrepresented older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). The program provides tailored mentored training in AD/ADRD research concepts, with the goal of nurturing successful independent researchers. Rigorous evaluation processes for applications ensure the selection of highly qualified Scholars. The program includes tailored training activities such as seminars and grant writing workshops, and tracks Scholar achievements while undergoing annual external evaluation to enhance its training program iteratively.

Strengthening healthcare providers’ leadership capabilities, interprofessional collaboration, and systems thinking: a conceptualization of the Clinical Scholars program impact

BackgroundHealthcare provider leadership programs represent an intervention opportunity to support advancement of the national system of care and an evaluation of their program impacts is needed. Between 2016 and 2023, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) funded Clinical Scholars (CS), a three-year equity-centered leadership training program for US healthcare providers. CS recruited participants (referred to as Fellows) in cohorts and engaged them as members of interprofessional teams to transform their careers and the health of their communities. The aim of this study was to evaluate Fellows’ perspectives on the success of CS, specifically the program elements and their importance for community well-being and sustainability.MethodsWe used the mixed methods group concept mapping (GCM) approach to evaluate Fellows’ perspectives on program success. First, we conducted the qualitative phases of brainstorming, sorting, and rating with Fellows. Secondly, we conducted the quantitative phases using multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis and integrated the sorting and rating information from each Fellow to develop a series of concept maps. Finally, we conducted the interpretation phase to synthesize findings. Fellows (N = 177) across five cohorts were invited to participate in the study.ResultsFifty-seven Fellows (32%) completed one or more GCM phases. A conceptual map emerged, consisting of seven thematic clusters, which showed that program value could be attributed to the following elements: “Resources”, “Wicked Problem Impact Project (WPIP) Support”, “Curriculum”, “Thinking Bigger”, “Leadership Training”, “Networking”, and “Teamwork.” The pattern match showed that all seven clusters were highly rated by Fellows across the Community Well-being Impact and Sustainability domains.ConclusionStudy findings support the value of the RWJF-CS program strategy of long-term investment in the development of healthcare leaders with applied skills in interprofessional collaboration who will be prepared to continue addressing complex, multi-faceted challenges in the system of care.

AESS Scholarship Program

AESS Scholarship Program

Reflections on 20 years of the international tennis federation and olympic solidarity high-performance coach education scholarship programme: Implications for sports coach development

This paper reflects on the impact of the International Tennis Federation and Olympic Solidarity High-Performance Coach Education Scholarship Programme over the last 20 years. Coach education and development has been identified as key to the advancement of sport performance. This programme has been investigated using an online survey and followed up with semi-structured interviews, with participants and coach developers. Results from the survey suggested that the programme was well received by the tennis coaches and integral to their ongoing development plus the growth of tennis performance in their countries. Follow-up interviews revealed the three key themes of supportive environment, lifechanging experience and level of challenge contributed to the effectiveness of this programme and the subsequent development of tennis performance. This concludes with some recommendations for coach development programmes.

Implementation of the Pemuda Tangguh Scholarship Program for Students in Supporting Education in Surabaya City

The research aims to evaluate the implementation of the Pemuda Tangguh Scholarship Program in supporting education for students in Surabaya. It uses a qualitative descriptive approach, collecting data through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis involves techniques like data condensation, data display, and drawing conclusions. The findings show that the program aligns well with its target group, the implementing organization, and the target group with the organization, indicating successful implementation. However, there are inconsistencies between regulations and distributed pamphlets, and students express the need for additional financial support for daily expenses.

Optimalisasi Pendayagunaan Zakat Melalui Program Beasiswa Prestasi Tahun 2017-2020: Studi Kasus pada Dompet Dhuafa Waspada Sumatera Utara

This study was conducted to determine whether the utilization of zakat carried out by Dompet Dhuafa Waspada (DDW) in collaboration with UPZ Bank SUMUT throught the achievement scholarship program has been running optimally or not. This study use a descriptive approach with the type of research is qualitative, so the data analysis use is descriptive qualitative analysis. The results of this study indicate that the achievement scholarship program run by DDW in collaboration with UPZ Bank SUMUT has been running optimally. It is evident from the amount of funds obtained since 2017-2020 which has increased, as well as all the efforts they have made to make this program better and more effective. Then this achievement scholarship program has also resulted in significant changes to the lives of the scholarship beneficiaries, starting from the assistance in education costs, increasing skills and knowledge about entrepreneurship. However, there is still a need for further improvements in the implementation of this program so that this program continues to improve and be more optimal.

Penggunaan Algoritma Support Vector Machine Untuk Penentuan Rekomendasi Penerima Beasiswa Di SMA Negeri 8 Kota Bogor

Scholarship is an assistance program in the form of educational funding in the form of beinggiven to assist students in obtaining proper education. SMA Negeri 8 Bogor City as aneducational unit that organizes formal education, participates in providing scholarships for itsstudents. The scholarship program at SMA Negeri 8 Bogor City has not used an effective andefficient method in determining the eligibility of students to receive scholarships so that errorsoften occur such as scholarships that are not on target. To overcome this, a website-basedscholarship prediction application was created to predict the eligibility status of students toreceive scholarships. Prediction is done using the classification method with the Support VectorMachine model. The results in the composition of 70% training data and 30% testing data get thehighest evaluation results with Accuracy 89%, Precision 91%, Recall 95%.

Empowering Early Career Researchers: The Jackson Heart Study Smith Scholars Program.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center Graduate Training and Education Center houses the Robert E. Smith, MD, Scholars Program, a two-year certificate program that equips predoctoral trainees from five Mississippi universities with advanced research skills in cardiovascular epidemiology. Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the program focuses on addressing health disparities, minority health, and health inequities in underserved communities. Trainees receive mentorship, career coaching, and a $7,500 annual stipend, building a foundation for postdoctoral opportunities and expanding professional networks. The Smith Scholars Program emphasizes population health and provides interdisciplinary training in areas such as biostatistics, scientific communication, and cardiovascular health. It is uniquely positioned to address systemic challenges, particularly in Mississippi, a state with high cardiovascular disease prevalence and limited research funding. The program's regional advantage and its partnership with the Jackson Heart Study offer scholars exposure to health disparities in Black/African American communities, preparing them to contribute to innovative, community-based research. Additionally, it fosters collaborative science, enabling participants to overcome academic barriers and engage with large-scale health equity research efforts. The Smith Scholars Program has been instrumental in shaping the career trajectories of its participants, facilitating their transition to postdoctoral positions and independent research roles.

Addressing the need to facilitate undergraduate research experiences for community college transfer students in science.

Community college transfer students face numerous challenges, including gaining access to undergraduate research experiences. In this Perspectives piece, we articulate the benefits of undergraduate research experiences for community college transfer students, some of the common barriers for engaging transfer students in undergraduate research, and how 4-year institutions can address these problems through the development of transfer-specific programs. We specifically discuss the LEAP Scholars program, which we designed for low-income community college transfer students. The LEAP Scholars program helped students learn about undergraduate research through their participation in a science education course-based undergraduate research experience and facilitated student access to undergraduate research experiences in science faculty member research labs.

Post-pandemic positions: new perspectives on international education and public diplomacy in Australia

PurposeIn an era of internationalism, higher education and vocational training have been core to Australia’s nation-building, regional co-operation and public diplomacy. This essay examines what has become of the people-to-people aspect of Australia’s engagements in the Indo-Pacific region, as discussed in the Australian government’s influential White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century (2012). More recently, established patterns of international educational exchange, and their economic, social and cultural benefits, have been disrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, shifting international relations and domestic politics, with consequences for international education and public diplomacy.Design/methodology/approachThis essay introduces the scholarly context for a reappraisal of Australian histories of international education within the Indo-Pacific region since the mid-20th century, and the role of NGOs, academia and government in educational schemes and scholarships. It draws on an approach informed by international history, the history of education and diplomatic studies, to provide an overview of key themes and the past and present case studies discussed in the seven articles of this special journal issue.FindingsThe little-known histories of international education in Australia, and associated scholarship schemes, are important aspects of soft power or public diplomacy and the nation’s relations with the Indo-Pacific region. We argue that there needs to be greater acknowledgement of the vital role of these interpersonal interactions and the international organisations that facilitated such exchanges in histories of Australia’s internationalism and diplomacy. While Australian governments have initiated scholarship programmes, what is becoming clear is that understanding their significance for Australian–regional relationships demands a research focus on student expectations and experiences that often lay beyond government control.Originality/valueThis essay and the articles in this special issue offer new historic and current insights on international education policy and programmes and Australia’s diplomatic relations. Many of the highlighted case studies have not previously been analysed within this context, and fresh analysis makes an intervention into the field, revealing the complexities and limitations of international education and people-to-people relationships for Australia’s past and present connections with the Indo-Pacific region.

Perencanaan Strategi Pemasaran Pondok Pesantren Darul Ilmi Wal Amal

The purpose of this research is to determine the strategic positioning and alternative marketing strategy that can be carried out by Darul Ilmi wal Amal Islamic Boarding School. The method used in this research is a descriptive method with a qualitative approach. The data analysis used is SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) which is measured through internal factors (Internal Strategic Factor Analysis Summary/IFAS) and external factors (External Strategic Factor Analysis Summary/EFAS). The results obtained from IFAS and EFAS show that Darul Ilmi wal Amal Islamic Boarding School is in quadrant I, which is a position that shows a strong organization with great opportunities. The strategy that is in accordance with this position is a development strategy (progressive/aggressive/expansion) which includes preparation towards a muadalah-based boarding school; expansion of promotion by involving various related parties and using various effective methods; expansion of cooperation with various related parties, especially in admitting new students, education and training; determining affordable prices/fees, scholarship programs for students and organizing the learning process based on the different academic abilities of students in the form of study groups.

The Influence of the Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program on Persistence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: A Mixed-Methods Study

This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study investigated the differences in persistence between students from the Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars Program (STEP), a STEM teacher scholarship and career preparation program, and STEM majors not in the program. Quantitative results indicated that STEP participants had higher levels of academic integration, women scored higher on persistence factors than men, and White students had a higher degree commitment than students of color. Qualitative findings indicated that STEP provided a family atmosphere and connected their coursework to their career aspirations. Women of color felt stereotyped by White classmates in STEM courses, which impacted their degree of commitment, and students of color in STEP relied on the program as a counterspace to racially insensitive STEM classrooms.

Rewarding interprofessional education: Designing and implementing an IPEP Distinguished Scholars Program

The Interprofessional Education and Practice Distinguished Scholar (IPEP DS) program was developed to reward students who go ‘above and beyond’ required interprofessional education and practice events. IPEP Distinguished Scholars (IPEP DS) must participate in at least two semesters of activities outside of their required IPEP coursework, serve on an interprofessional committee, and complete an interprofessional immersion experience. Following completion of these activities, students compose a reflection essay about their learning and experiences and ultimately receive transcript distinction, cords to wear at graduation, and a Credly™ badge (digital credentialing). This article provides an overview of the design of this program and outcomes for replication at other institutions.

Multicultural Scholars Program Fosters Leadership Development and Cultural Competence

Multicultural Scholars Program Fosters Leadership Development and Cultural Competence

PROMOVENDO ACESSO EQUITATIVO À EDUCAÇÃO PARA COMUNIDADES MARGINALIZADAS E GRUPOS VULNERÁVEIS

Equitable access to education is a global challenge that affects many marginalized communities and vulnerable groups, who often face significant barriers. This article explores the main obstacles encountered by these communities, such as economic barriers, structural inequalities, discrimination, and geographic limitations. Economic barriers include the lack of financial resources to cover educational costs, while structural inequalities reflect disparities in access to quality infrastructure and services. Discrimination can manifest in various forms, such as racial, ethnic, or gender bias, and geographic access issues refer to physical distance and inadequate infrastructure in remote areas. To promote truly equitable access, it is crucial to adopt strategies such as implementing inclusive educational policies, offering scholarship programs, and developing diversity-sensitive education. Additionally, community interventions and the use of educational technologies can play vital roles in overcoming these barriers. These strategies aim to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background, ethnicity, or location, could access quality education. By addressing these challenges collaboratively and implementing effective measures, we can move towards a more just and inclusive society, where education is genuinely accessible to everyone.

Analysis of Social Aspects and Educational Values in Formulating Scholarship Policy: A Case Study in Aceh

This article analyzed the role of social aspects and educational values in scholarship policy formation, focusing on a case study of implementation in Aceh, Indonesia. The research aimed to understand the impact of integrating social and educational factors in scholarship policymaking and how this affects the effectiveness of the program in promoting educational access and equity. This study used a qualitative approach to collect data from various sources, including interviews with stakeholders, analyses of policy documents, and surveys of scholarship recipients. The focus was on how the Aceh Scholarship policy was designed to address the specific social challenges of the region, particularly the impact of post-conflict and natural disasters. The results showed that effective scholarship policies require an in-depth understanding of the social context and educational needs. The Aceh Scholarship, for example, successfully demonstrated how policies tailored to local social conditions could increase educational participation and positively impact social and economic recovery. This analysis provided important insights for policymakers, education practitioners, and donor agencies on the importance of considering social factors in designing scholarship programs.

Barriers to HIV rapid start among New Jersey providers

Background Rapid Start ensures that persons with HIV initiate antiretroviral therapy in less than seven days after diagnosis. Benefits of Rapid Start include timely linkage to medical care, viral suppression in a shorter time and improved retention to medical care. Despite these benefits, there is a slow uptake of Rapid Start, in New Jersey. Objective Identify barriers to Rapid Start among New Jersey providers. Methods An electronic survey, consisting of 28 questions, with the following domains was administered to New Jersey providers, using Qualtrics: provider and practice characteristics (10), knowledge (1), barriers (8) and attitudes to diverse patient types (9). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics due to small numbers over strata. Approval to conduct the survey was obtained from the William Paterson University Institutional Review Board. Results There were 69 responses to the survey. Providers were at least 45 years old (48%), female (44/60, 73%), nurse practitioners or physician assistants (41/59, 69%). Overall, 44/63 (70%) providers did not correctly identify that integrase inhibitors had the lowest prevalence of transmitted drug resistance. Newly diagnosed patients were referred for medical care in 37 (65%) of the medical sites. Only providers from Ryan White (federally funded clinics for persons with HIV) (64%) and non-Ryan White (73%) public sites reported co-located HIV testing sites. Seventy percent of medical sites offered same-day medical appointments. However, a lower proportion of private (62%), public Ryan White (55%), and other medical sites (36%) offered same-day appointments compared to public non-Ryan White sites (82%). Despite having staff available 40 h per week (91%), only 55% of Ryan White sites offered extended office hours in the early morning, evenings, or on Saturdays. When compared to providers in public non-Ryan White sites, a lower proportion of providers in Ryan White sites were comfortable doing Rapid Start either on the day of or within one week of diagnosis, 82% and 72%, respectively, or starting antiretroviral therapy before genotype results were available, 55% and 46%, respectively. Overall, providers were not comfortable with Rapid Start for persons engaging in condomless sex (60%). Conclusions Policy and administrative decisions are needed to eliminate barriers at the clinic level. An HIV clinical scholar program, to increase providers knowledge, may increase uptake of Rapid Start.