EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA – The Central Board of Muhammadiyah is exploring academic cooperation with Yemen’s Saeed University through student and faculty exchange programs, scholarships, and opportunities for Yemeni students to pursue further studies at Muhammadiyah universities.
The initiative was discussed on Wednesday evening (21/10) during a meeting between Hilman Latief, Treasurer General of the Muhammadiyah Central Board, and a Saeed University delegation represented by Muhammad Abdul Wasi’ Al-Saaed, a member of the university’s Board of Trustees, and an adviser, Dr. Nael. The meeting took place at the Muhammadiyah Central Board headquarters at in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
Also attending were Jamhari Makruf, Vice Chairperson of the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development; Jasra Putra, Secretary of the Council for Community Empowerment and Social Service; and Endang Zakaria, Treasurer of the Department for International Relations and Cooperation.
During the meeting, Hilman said Muhammadiyah was open to international cooperation across various academic disciplines, ranging from Islamic studies and science to medicine and technology.
Muhammadiyah is very open to cooperation in various fields, from Islamic studies and science to medicine and technology. We are also ready to welcome international students who wish to pursue their education at Muhammadiyah universities,” he said.
Muhammadiyah currently operates 164 higher education institutions with approximately 700,000 students. This extensive network provides a strong foundation for expanding academic partnerships with educational institutions in other countries.
Education Amid Yemen’s Conflict
The Saeed University delegation explained that ongoing conflict in Yemen poses significant challenges to the continuity of higher education. The institution even temporarily suspended its lecturers the previous month to ensure student safety.
Despite these difficulties, Saeed University continues to develop its academic programs. The institution currently has six faculties, 26 undergraduate programs, and two master’s programs, serving approximately 3,500 students.
The Yemeni delegation expressed hope that cooperation with Muhammaidyah would create opportunities for its students to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees. The Yemeni delegation expressed hope that cooperation with Muhammadiyah would create opportunities for its students to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees. They also proposed student and faculty exchange programs to strengthen academic ties between the two institutions.
The meeting further discussed a planned visit to Muhammadiyah University of Jakarta (UMJ) to continue exploring potential areas of cooperation and discuss the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The initiative is expected to serve as an initial step toward strengthening academic relations between Muhammadiyah and Saeed University while expanding educational opportunities for Yemeni students amid the conflict facing their country. (taufik)
