ums.ac.id, SURAKARTA – Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTMA) took a significant step toward expanding their international network through the “Discussion for the Collaboration between PTMA and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) Malaysia,” held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) on Monday (20/10).
The meeting served as a milestone in advancing impactful education and fostering sustainable global partnerships across PTMA institutions.
The forum was attended by Dr. Andy Dwi Bayu Bawono, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Treasurer of the Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (Diktilitbang) of Muhammadiyah, Dr. Condro Nur Alin, Chair of the Association of International Offices of PTMA (ASKUI), and representatives from UTP Malaysia, led by Prof. Ir. Hilmi bin Mukhtar, Vice President (Partnership & Ecosystem Building) of UTP. Also present were Prof. Supriyono, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., Vice Rector V of UMS, along with other UMS officials.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Andy Bayu Bawono expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring together Muhammadiyah universities and one of Malaysia’s leading technology institutions.
“Alhamdulillah, we are grateful to gather here to explore collaborative opportunities between PTMA and UTP. May this meeting bring blessings and meaningful outcomes for all,” he said.
He emphasized that internationalization has become a strategic imperative for Muhammadiyah universities that have achieved “Excellent” accreditation.
“There are now 20 PTMA institutions with Excellent status. Such universities must carry a global vision—one that can be realized through partnerships with world-class institutions like UTP,” he explained.
According to Andy, UTP’s strong industrial linkages and impactful education model make it an ideal partner for PTMA.
“UTP has made remarkable strides in innovation and community-oriented education. This is something we can learn from—to ensure that higher education produces not just graduates, but solutions,” he said.
He further stated that Diktilitbang Muhammadiyah continuously encourages universities to expand their international collaboration, aligning with Muhammadiyah’s vision for global, progressive education.
Meanwhile, Dr. Condro Nur Alin, Chair of ASKUI PTMA, highlighted the significance of this meeting for the PTMA network.
“Out of 163 Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah universities, 102 now have International Offices under ASKUI. This forum opens the door for broader collaboration that reaches the entire PTMA ecosystem,” he said.
Condro underscored that this partnership goes beyond ceremonial signing, focusing instead on tangible projects such as joint research, matching grants, faculty and student exchanges, and academic capacity building.
“Although only 20 universities are represented today, the outcomes of this collaboration will impact all 163 PTMA institutions across Indonesia,” he added.
Representing UTP, Prof. Hilmi bin Mukhtar presented the university’s latest transformation strategy introduced in May 2025.
“UTP now envisions becoming the forefront of technology education, research, and enabling technology vision,” he stated.
Hilmi outlined UTP’s new mission pillars—lifelong learning, leadership through innovation, and technology-driven research for societal impact.
“We want to ensure that our research and learning truly contribute to real social transformation,” he explained.
He also shared that UTP’s research now focuses on three strategic areas: energy, climate change, and sustainable living, which align closely with PTMA’s academic priorities.
“These areas are highly relevant for collaboration, particularly in sustainability and appropriate technology,” he added.
Since the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UTP and Muhammadiyah in 2018, the partnership has resulted in six collaborative universities, 180 student mobility participants, and 47 talent development projects.
The MoU was later renewed in 2023, expanding cooperation to cover all 163 PTMA institutions across Indonesia.
“This renewal marks a major milestone—granting every Muhammadiyah university access to direct collaboration with UTP,” Hilmi noted.
At the close of the session, delegates agreed to develop a joint action plan encompassing research, education, and community service initiatives.
“We hope this collaboration not only strengthens PTMA’s international reputation but also generates innovations that bring real impact to society,” concluded Prof. Hilmi.
The meeting was part of a series of ASKUI events hosted by UMS throughout the week, reaffirming UMS’s role as a key hub for international cooperation among Muhammadiyah higher education institutions.
Through this initiative, UMS reaffirms its strong commitment to fostering impactful education, expanding global networks, and driving internationalization within Muhammadiyah higher education.
