Malang, Indonesia, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) and Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Rector of UMM and Rector of UMAM at Rectorate Building, UMM on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022.
Putting forward flexibility in education structure, the Rector of UMM, Dr. Fauzan, M.Pd., accompanied by Vice Rector III, Dr. Nur Subeki, ST., MT told the UMAM delegates, “Currently we are applying a more flexible schedule for undergraduate students so that they can graduate within 3 to 4 years.” Same goes with UMAM, Dr. Wachid Ridwan as Vice Rector informed the UMM delegates that the university applies research-based PhD programmes so that students can graduate by 3 years only, and have more mobility during their PhD journey.
The Rector of UMAM, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Waluyo Adi Siswanto in his speech conveyed an opportunity for lecturers at UMM to further their PhD studies at UMAM for those who have yet to hold PhD or Strata 3. University currently offers five research-based PhD programmes; (1) PhD in Information Technology, (2) PhD in Education, (3) PhD in Social Science, (4) PhD in Islamic Studies, and (5) PhD in Business and Management.
MoU was signed after an international workshop held at UMM in the morning session. Rector of UMM welcomed UMAM with open hand as both institutions have the same interest to improve the education in Indonesia.
UMAM also offers existing PhD lecturers at UMM an opportunity to become co-supervisor or in Indonesia named as co-promotor. The offer is to allow lecturers to engage more internationally as they will work with experts from multiple countries on research publications together with PhD candidates at UMAM. UMM will get the benefit as the lecturers will use their home affiliation (UMM) in any publications while they collaborate with UMAM.
The MoU is hoped to extend more international collaboration between the two parties on exchange programs, research publications and joint PhD programmes. Such international collaboration between UMM and UMAM at the present could progress the education in Indonesia corresponding to the trend of internalization in education.
