EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MEDAN – Ismail Lutfi Japakiya, rector of Fatoni University in Thailand, has expressed his admiration for Muhammadiyah’s role in education, particularly in higher education.
Muhammadiyah, founded by Kiai Ahmad Dahlan in 1912, now operates 165 universities, thousands of schools and kindergartens, as well as mosques across Indonesia. Its extensive educational network has made the organization an important force in advancing education among Muslims.
Ismail Lutfi said he hoped the good deeds Muhammadiyah has carried out over the years would continue to be recorded as a source of reward for Kiai Ahmad Dahlan. His admiration, he said, extends not only to Muhammadiyah but also to the organization’s founder.
He explained that his visit to Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra (UMSU) was to learn from Muhammadiyah’s experience in developing educational institutions.
“We came here not only to meet our fellow leaders, but also to meet the leadership of UMSU, which serves as an example for our university,” he said.
Speaking at a casual discussion program with UMSU FM on Monday (14/9), Ismail Lutfi explained that Fatoni University is a private university, much like Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Universities (PTMA).
Beyond its relationship with Muhammadiyah, Fatoni University has also maintained close ties with the family of Kiai Ahmad Dahlan in Thailand. The university has even honored Winai Dahlan, a member of the Dahlan family.
Winai Dahlan is the grandson of Kiai Ahmad Dahlan and has become an important figure at the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.
“We conferred an honorary doctorate on Winai Dahlan, the grandson or great-grandson of the Dahlan family, as one of the leading figures in science and halal studies in Bangkok,” Ismail Luthfi said.
He also expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to establish cooperation with Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) in Perlis.
