Thursina Islamic International Boarding School (IIBS) founder and CEO, Nur Abidin (MEd ’11) was born in a small Indonesian village where most people worked in agriculture and farming.
Abi, as his friends know him, recalls it being a pleasant time, “Life was simple, calm and close to nature. We had limited access to electricity, transportation and technology, so most of our time was spent together,” he says.
“Strong local values and traditions such as working together, caring for others and empathy were distinguishing features of my childhood that strongly shaped who I am.”
But life in a remote village also presented challenges. Education was not widely valued, and most people left school after primary level.
“Thankfully, my family thought differently,” Abi recalls. “I was sent to a public junior high school even though it required me to ride my bicycle about 20 kilometres every day.”
Later, he moved to Surabaya, Indonesia’s second largest city, to attend high school – a decision that forced him to live apart from his parents and develop independence early.
That determination carried him to the Islamic University of Malang, where he studied English language education. He graduated with honours and was appointed a teaching assistant.
“During this time, I also taught at several high schools, which inspired my interest in leadership and management roles at school,” Abi says.
The turning point came in 2009, when Abi was awarded a prestigious Australian Development Scholarship (Australia Awards) to study a Master of Education at Flinders University in Adelaide.
“This scholarship and my study overseas were truly life-changing,” he reflects. “Flinders really shaped my philosophical foundation to be an innovative and visionary school leader. I loved walking through the beautiful campus in autumn and winter, something that doesn’t happen in my tropical home country, and in my classes I learnt to be a more reflective educator.”
Armed with new knowledge and a global perspective, Abi returned to Indonesia determined to make a difference. In 2014, just three years after completing his studies at Flinders, he founded Thursina IIBS with an ambitious and clear goal.
“Education is the key for a country’s advancement and people’s prosperity,” he says. “Thursina IIBS was established to offer a holistic education, combining local values with world-class standards.”
The school started with a modest campus and 250 students. Within three years, Thursina expanded with a second campus dedicated to male students. From there, the growth was rapid.
“Today, the school has thousands of students on campus and a global alumni network,” Abi explains. Thursina has gained a strong reputation for its modern campuses, holistic curriculum, and dedicated teaching staff. Its graduates have gone on to study at top universities across Asia, Canada, Australia, the UK, Russia, China, and the Middle East.
Under Abi’s leadership, the impact has been significant. Thursina has awarded scholarships worth $3.8 million AUD, and shared best practices with over 500 Indonesian schools and 10,000 educators through its Inspiring Education program. In recognition of his contributions, Abi received the Alumni Award for Outstanding Contribution in Education from the Islamic University of Malang in 2020.
Looking ahead, Abi is not slowing down. The next phase of Thursina’s roadmap focuses on becoming a Centre of Excellence, with research and best practices driving education quality. By 2030, the plan is to expand further, developing new campuses both locally and internationally.
Yet despite these big goals, Abi remains grounded. He finds balance in time with his family, often at the beach, hiking, or horse riding with his four children. “I love nature so much as it gives me positive energy and rejuvenates the harmony and balance of our family connection,” he says.
When asked what being a Flinders alumnus means to him, Abi doesn’t hesitate: “For me it is a pride, and inspiring others. Flinders’ tagline at the time I was a student was ‘inspiring achievement’, and that has inspired me to always contribute and inspire others.”
Interested in studying Education or a Master of Education? Flinders’ undergraduate and postgraduate Education degrees will equip you with the skills and knowledge to become an advocate, a mentor, and an inspiration to your students.
More than 1,300 Australia Awards scholars from over 50 countries have graduated from Flinders University in the past 15 years. At Flinders, you will not just learn from our excellent lecturers, but also study with many other Australia Awards scholars just like you, building a network of colleagues and friends you can call on after you return to your home country. Find out more about Australia Awards at Flinders University.