Reinventing Sustainable Learning in Malaysia and Indonesia: Lessons Learned from COVID-19
Zainuddin, Z., Perera, C.J., Sumintono, B. (2025). Reinventing Sustainable Learning in Malaysia and Indonesia: Lessons Learned from COVID-19. In: Zainuddin, Z., Sumintono, B., Perera, C.J. (eds) Resilient and Sustainable Education Futures. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4971-6_2
Background: Resilient and Sustainable Education Futures
Perera, C.J., Zainuddin, Z., Sumintono, B. (2025). Background. In: Zainuddin, Z., Sumintono, B., Perera, C.J. (eds) Resilient and Sustainable Education Futures. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4971-6_1
The Global Ikhwan Women’s Experiences in Polygamous Marriages in Malaysia: Polygamy as Means to Be Closer to God
Nurmila, N. (2025). The Global Ikhwan Women’s Experiences in Polygamous Marriages in Malaysia: Polygamy as Means to Be Closer to God. In: Othman, N., Nadarajah, Y., Mohd Isa, R. (eds) Polygamous Marriages in Peninsular Malaysia. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-9104-0_12
Abstract
As one of the ways to recruit more membership for Global Ikhwan and to counterbalance the negative image of polygamy, Global Ikhwan launched the Polygamy Club on 15 August 2009. This chapter will elaborate the Global Ikhwan women’s experiences of living in polygamous marriages. Based on my interview with 14 Global Ikhwan members consisting of 3 polygamous husbands, seven first wives and four second wives, this chapter shows that all polygamous marriages among Global Ikhwan members were arranged by their leader, Buya Ashaari. All of the research participants have communal life arrangements, in which each member contribute economically to the jama`ah (the community of the Global Ikhwan) and in return, their basic needs are fulfilled by the Global Ikhwan.None of the wives receive maintenance from their husband, reducing economic conflict among the wives. However,this does not mean that the wives have no problem in their polygamous marriages. They must suppress their feeling of jealousy and in doing so, they were trained by their leaders to overcome this feeling by trying to be closer to God, “cleaning” their “selfishness” to have their husband for only herself.
Islamic Feminists’ Approaches
Nurmila, N. (2025). Islamic Feminists’ Approaches. In: Bano M, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Women and Islam. Cambridge Companions to Religion. Cambridge University Press; pp. 214-233. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-companion-to-women-and-islam/islamic-feminists-approaches/7D0AA2AE8DDAC391F4BB7B067A724C00
Summary
Nina Nurmila provides a review of key scholarly figures in the field of Islamic feminism and their methodological approaches. She emphasizes how, in Indonesia, their influence has permeated the wider Muslim community more effectively than in other contexts, thanks to local scholars disseminating their ideas through vernacular Islamic scholarship.
The Basic Empathy Scale: Validation of Empathy Measurement of Pesantren Students in Indonesia
Rizkyanti, C.A., Hermansyah, E., & Wijayanti, Z. B. (2025). The Basic Empathy Scale: Validation of Empathy Measurement of Pesantren Students in Indonesia. Psikologika: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Penelitian Psikologi, 30(1), 1-24. https://journal.uii.ac.id/Psikologika/article/view/35976
Abstract
This study aimed to validate the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) using Rasch model to establish the reliability and validity of the instrument in measuring empathy. Participants in validation consisted of 200 students from Islamic Boarding Schools (Pesantren) in Java, Indonesia. This analysis was conducted using a quantitative method with Rasch model analysis by incorporating a Wright map, item fit analysis, a unidimensionality test, and Different Item Functioning (DIF). The results showed that the BES was reliable for measuring cognitive and affective empathy, confirming unidimensionality and item fit among participants. These findings implied that the BES was suitable for application among Islamic Boarding School students. DIF analysis further showed that some items might require revision to elicit more accurate results even though the instrument was considered valid and reliable.
Self-handicapping scale: evaluation of psychometric properties among Malaysian and Indonesian university students using Rasch rating scale model analysis
Sumintono, B., Law, M.Y. and Sitasari, N.W. (2025). Self-handicapping scale: evaluation of psychometric properties among Malaysian and Indonesian university students using Rasch rating scale model analysis. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-08-2024-0429
Abstract
Purpose – This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of SHS in Malaysian and Indonesian university students’ populations using the Rasch Rating Scale Model.
Design/methodology/approach – Specifically, the persons’ and items’ reliability and separation, rating scale’s functionality, unidimensionality, item targeting, item quality and item bias were evaluated using Winstep 4.8.1.0 on a sample of 318 Malaysian and 470 Indonesian university students.
Findings – Both samples show good unidimensional measures. In terms of certain psychometric attributes, the Indonesian and Malaysian samples have relatively similar qualities. The adoption of SHS in measuring the selfhandicapping tendency indicates the scale works well for both Indonesian and Malaysian samples. Practical implications – The findings allow researchers in Malaysia and Indonesia to confidently use the SHS to measure self-handicapping behaviours among university students. This will then enable the design and implementation of a comprehensive intervention programme aimed at reducing self-handicapping and improving the psychological well-being of these future change agents in both countries.
Originality/value – This instrument was first tested in the United States, but its psychometric properties have yet to be evaluated in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Keywords Self-handicapping, Self-handicapping scale, Psychometric properties, Rasch rating scale model, University students
Paper type Research paper
Resilient and Sustainable Education Futures, Insights from Malaysia and Indonesia's COVID-19 Experience
Zainuddin, Z., Sumintono, B. & Perera, C.J. (2025). Resilient and Sustainable Education Futures, Insights from Malaysia and Indonesia's COVID-19 Experience. Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/9789819649709
Overview
- Provides empirical insights into teaching and learning approaches using immersive technologies
- Suggests pedagogical strategies and support for curriculum development and realignment assessment methods
- Serves as a guide for remedial learning solutions and learning continuity relevant to sustainability education
About this book
This book creates awareness about effective and innovative learning using technology tools that can induce more fun and engagement in our present-day learning communities. It explores the post-pandemic educational practices of two countries, Malaysia and Indonesia, and presents reports of empirical evidence concerning the challenges and opportunities that have arisen due to the pandemic. This book also serves as a guide to provide educational practitioners, learners, and researchers with the knowledge required for curriculum development and realignment assessment methods, particularly in post-pandemic education. It provides further insights into advancing post-pandemic education, namely digital learning solutions for sustainable education, alternative assessments for remote education settings, continuous professional development for teachers in the COVID-19 recovery phase, learner engagement in virtual learning environments, and qualitative evidence of teaching and learning during the pandemic. This book serves as a point of reference and a useful resource for developing and underdeveloped countries that need to lean on alternative pedagogies that cater to the group of marginalized learners affected by the pandemic, and aligns with the goals of sustainable education worldwide.
Academic Motivation Scale’s psychometric attribute: analysis using Rasch measurement model
Julianto, V., Sumintono, B., Almakhi, N.P.Z. et al. Academic Motivation Scale’s psychometric attribute: analysis using Rasch measurement model. (2025). Current Psychology 44, 114-124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-07142-7
Abstract
In an academic context, it is important to measure students’ academic motivation, which is closely related to learning improvement. One popular and widely used instrument to measure academic motivation is the 28-items Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) from Vallerand et al. (1989). This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Indonesian version of AMS using the Rasch model measurement approach. A total of 1,193 Indonesian secondary school students participated in the study, and their self-reports were used to check instrument quality, including reliability, validity at the instrument level as well as at the item level. The findings showed that AMS Indonesia has adequate psychometric properties. However, four unfavorable items in one construct detected that they came from other dimensions, the rating scale used needs to be shortened, and a few items need to be revised because they have different item functioning. Further testing and refinement of the scale should be conducted
Local Wisdom-Based Multicultural Education: Muhammadiyah Experience
Mu’ti, A., & Amirrachman, A. (2025). Local Wisdom-Based Multicultural Education: Muhammadiyah Experience. Intellectual Discourse, 33(Special Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.31436/id.v33iSpecial Issue 1.2241
Local Wisdom-Based Multicultural Education: Muhammadiyah Experience
Abstract
Local wisdom plays a role in helping to face every day challenges. Indonesia’s society is multicultural and has a variety of local wisdom. Local wisdom is a product of thoughts, views of life, behavior, habits, and other elements produced by certain communities that show the identity and uniqueness of that community. The diversity of local wisdom can be accessed and cultivated through education because education is a place for the nation's future generations to learn and be guided as citizens and leaders. Through its network of members spread across various parts of the country, Muhammadiyah has established a large number of educational institutions from early childhood to tertiary institutions spread across the archipelago. The motivation is the da'wah of Islam through educational institutions. At the same time, Muhammadiyah carries the spirit of inclusivity as it has organised education for all. It can be said that Muhammadiyah adjusts itself to the local wisdom by accepting students regardless of religious, ethnic, citizenship and economic background. This inclusivity of Muhammadiyah educational institutions is proven by the fact that it is mostly Christian students who attend many Muhammadiyah schools and universities in the eastern parts of Indonesia. The teachers play the most important role in ensuring that a democratic, peaceful and enriching schooling eco-system comes into existence. The training of the teachers and support staff can be perceived as emphasising on three major parts: awareness, knowledge, and skills.
Keywords: local wisdom, multicultural education, inclusivity, teachers
Examining Educational Equity in Indonesia through Student Performance in the Certified Emancipated Learning Internship Program
Hakim, L., Winarti, D., Kayen, H., Numan, M., Buana, I., & Barliana, D. (2024). Examining Educational Equity in Indonesia through Student Performance in the Certified Emancipated Learning Internship Program. Aspirasi: Jurnal Masalah-masalah Sosial, 15(2), 143–157. doi:https://doi.org/10.46807/aspirasi.v15i2.4389