MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA— The Muhammadiyah Council for Education, Research, and Development and Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Higher Education (PTMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and conducted the International Academic Partnership Symposium 2023 with Kyungdong University Global on Thursday (08/06) at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD).
The MoU involved cooperation in education, research collaboration, student and faculty exchange, book writing, international seminars, and other areas between Kyungdong University Global and the PTMA. The MoU represented a strategic action of Muhammadiyah to enhance its internationalization.
Besides, the student exchange program will provide valuable experiences to broaden students’ horizons and knowledge while strengthening their intercultural skills. Interacting with students from various countries will give them a deeper understanding of different cultures and global perspectives.
Therefore, Chair of the Muhammadiyah Council for Education, Research, and Development Bambang Setiadji emphasizes the importance of this cross-cultural cooperation and mutual learning. This also allowed Muhammadiyah to promote the concept of Islam Berkemajuan (Progressive Islam) in South Korea. “We hope that there will be knowledge, experience, and understanding exchange about the culture and education system of each country,” said Bambang.
Meanwhile, the President of Kyungdong University Global John K. Lee said that this collaboration would facilitate student exchanges, collaborative research, exchange of scientific information, and more. He hoped that signing this Memorandum of Understanding would contribute to developing human resources in both Indonesia and South Korea. “This cooperation is expected to offer new occasions in fields of education, culture, and human resources development fields between Indonesia and South Korea,” said John Lee.
Furthermore, UAD Rector Muchlas mentioned that the university would continue to expand its network and establish partnerships with leading international institutions. This approach would bring positive academic traditions within the Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah environment. “The collaboration is adressed to improve the quality of education and prepare students to become future leaders,” said Muchlas.
In addition, a website waraptm.id was launched at the MoU signing and the symposium. The Chairman of Muhammadiyah Irwan Akib appreciated the website development since it could be a medium for Muhammadiyah researchers to share their thoughts and publication. The website and partnership with Kyungdong University Global would improve the academic atmosphere in the PTMA.
“Through this collaboration, every student will report their research and publications done with partner students, and I believe it will further enhance quantity and quality each year,” said Irwan.
