Rahman Rosyidi, vice rector of Universitas Amikom Purwokerto, has defended his dissertation and earned a doctoral degree from UIN Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto. His research examines the impact of acquiring knowledge and information technology on Fiqh learning in two pesantren in Banyumas Regency. The study highlights the shift in Generation Z santri's learning patterns toward digital methods via social media.
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Rahman Rosyidi defended his dissertation in the Open Doctoral Promotion Examination at the Islamic Postgraduate Program of Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri (UIN Saizu) Purwokerto. The dissertation, titled "The Impact of Knowledge Acquisition and Information Technology on Fiqh Learning in Pondok Pesantren Al-Hidayah and Pesantren Mahasiswa An-Najah, Banyumas Regency," is deemed relevant to the current conditions of Generation Z santri shifting from traditional to digital methods.
Rahman highlighted the phenomenon of santri actively accessing Fiqh knowledge through social media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube outside formal learning. The research, employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), found that perceived usefulness is a key factor. "The research results show that santri's knowledge acquisition activities through social media significantly increase the perception of technology's usefulness. This perception then drives interest and actual use of technology in Fiqh learning," Rahman stated in his dissertation summary.
Notably, perceived ease of use did not significantly influence santri's interest, indicating that motivation for substantive knowledge outweighs technical ease in pesantren environments.
The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. H. Moh. Roqib, M.Ag., with Dr. Novan Ardy Wiyani, M.Pd.I., as secretary. The promotor was Prof. Dr. M. Suyanto, M.M., and co-promotor Prof. Dr. Subur, M.Ag. Examiners included Prof. Dr. H. Munjin, M.Pd.I.; Prof. Dr. Hj. Tutuk Ningsih, M.Pd.; and Prof. Dr. H. M. Hizbul Muflihin, M.Pd.
This achievement is expected to contribute to the development of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in Islamic education and provide strategic input for pesantren to adapt to technology while preserving scholarly traditions. As vice rector at technology-based Amikom Purwokerto, Rahman strengthens the synergy between digital tools and Islamic values in Indonesian higher education.
