PERCEPTION AND MOTIVATION OF CHRISTIAN STUDENTS TO CHOOSE MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY: PLURALISTIC EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE OF MUHAMMADIYAH

Abstract

Religious plurality must be interpreted as plurality and multireligiousism in the nation's life and state. This research aimed to investigate Christian students' perception and motivation to study at Muhammadiyah University in Palopo. It was qualitative research with a phenomenological approach, which was conducted at Muhammadiyah University of Palopo. Five non-Muslim students were selected based on the purposive sampling technique, and the researchers became the main instruments. Other supporting instruments were interview guidelines, observation sheets, and tape recorders. The data collection techniques used are observation, in-depth interview, and documentation. The researchers made data reduction, data display, and drawing conclusions or verification in analyzing the data. The findings obtained revealed that Christian students' perception and motivation in enrolling Muhammadiyah University of Palopo was majorly affected by the support of parents, families, self-motivation, and their major at Muhammadiyah University of Palopo.