Alumni Profile
Halimah Penno, more commonly known as Isma, is currently an English Lecturer at the State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) in Parepare, South Sulawesi. Previously, she was Senior Instructional Designer at the KPI Institute, a research institute specialised in business performance; and Research and Educational Development Officer at an educational agency under the auspices of Medco Group. Isma completed a Master’s of Science in Education while on a Fulbright scholarship at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania in May 2019.
Isma has also held roles as an English teacher at the Darud Dakwah Wal Irsyad (DDI) Ar-Rahman Islamic Boarding School of Galla Raya, and as an asisstant lecturer at the DDI Islamic High School in Pangkep, South Sulawesi. At the beginning of her teaching career, Isma had the opportunity to attend training as a teacher trainer in the Learning Assistance Program for Islamic Schools (LAPIS), an Islamic school empowerment program initiated by the Australian Government. This program led her to become an English teacher trainer in remote areas of South Sulawesi. In 2016, she became a Liason Officer for international participants among 2500 members of the Youth Red Cross in the Jumpa, Bakti, dan Gembira (Jumbara – Meet, Serve, and Be Happy) International Youth Camp in Pangkep.
Isma has also held roles as an English teacher at the Darud Dakwah Wal Irsyad (DDI) Ar-Rahman Islamic Boarding School of Galla Raya, and as an asisstant lecturer at the DDI Islamic High School in Pangkep, South Sulawesi. At the beginning of her teaching career, Isma had the opportunity to attend training as a teacher trainer in the Learning Assistance Program for Islamic Schools (LAPIS), an Islamic school empowerment program initiated by the Australian Government. This program led her to become an English teacher trainer in remote areas of South Sulawesi. In 2016, she became a Liason Officer for international participants among 2500 members of the Youth Red Cross in the Jumpa, Bakti, dan Gembira (Jumbara – Meet, Serve, and Be Happy) International Youth Camp in Pangkep.
Program Highlights
The AIMEP program gave me a good start to learning about Islam from different angles. Islam is a big religion, belonging to all Muslims around the globe. It is not fair to accept that Indonesian Islam is the only approach. Having the opportunity to learn about Islam from the perspective of our Australian Muslims friends was definitely a significant thing for me. I experienced such warmness and openness from our Australian Muslim friends. Thanks for the golden opportunity to expand my horizons, AIMEP.
Through the program, I met many religious practitioners, both Muslim and non-Muslim. I learned that an open attitude, as held by many Australian Muslims, has a positive impact on the growth of Muslim communities there. Also important, is the attitude of openness of the Australian government toward adherents of all religions.
Before participating in AIMEP, I saw Australia as an unfriendly country toward Muslims, especially Muslim women who wear the hijab. But after two weeks living in Australia and discussing many things with Australian people, both Muslims (about how they are treated) and non-Muslims (about how they see Islam), I realized that my view of Austalia was misguided. I came to see Australia as a warm and friendly country, regardless of one’s faith.
Through the program, I met many religious practitioners, both Muslim and non-Muslim. I learned that an open attitude, as held by many Australian Muslims, has a positive impact on the growth of Muslim communities there. Also important, is the attitude of openness of the Australian government toward adherents of all religions.
Before participating in AIMEP, I saw Australia as an unfriendly country toward Muslims, especially Muslim women who wear the hijab. But after two weeks living in Australia and discussing many things with Australian people, both Muslims (about how they are treated) and non-Muslims (about how they see Islam), I realized that my view of Austalia was misguided. I came to see Australia as a warm and friendly country, regardless of one’s faith.
