Muhammadiyah Discusses Strengthening Education Cooperation in ASEAN with the Ministry of Education Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur - In a strategic move to strengthen educational collaboration within the ASEAN region, the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah, together with the Rector of Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM), conducted an official visit to the Ministry of Education Malaysia. The meeting, held in a warm and collaborative atmosphere, resulted in an agreement to deepen cooperation in various areas of education.
The Muhammadiyah delegation, led by Prof. Irwan Aqib, Head of Muhammadiyah's Central Leadership for Education, and Dr. Saidul Amin, Rector of UMAM, was warmly welcomed by Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Zamry Abdul Kadir. During the meeting, the two parties discussed several key issues, including:
- Inter-University Collaboration: Both sides agreed to facilitate partnerships between higher education institutions in Indonesia and Malaysia, covering student and faculty exchanges as well as joint research initiatives.
- Promotion of Moderate Islamic Education: Muhammadiyah and the Ministry of Education Malaysia committed to jointly fostering Islamic education that is moderate, tolerant, and open to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
- Technological Innovation in Education: Both parties pledged to promote the use of digital technology in the learning process to enhance educational quality and expand access for all levels of society.
Dr. Saidul Amin, Rector of UMAM, emphasized that this visit is a significant step toward realizing Muhammadiyah’s vision of becoming a global center of excellence in Islamic education. “Collaboration with Malaysia will strengthen UMAM’s position as an Islamic university that is relevant and capable of addressing contemporary challenges,” he stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Irwan Aqib added that this partnership would not only impact the education sector but also strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Malaysia. “We hope this collaboration can serve as a model for other countries in the ASEAN region,” he remarked.
Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Zamry Abdul Kadir, responded positively to Muhammadiyah’s initiative. He expressed appreciation for UMAM’s role as a reputable Islamic higher education institution. “We are very open to collaborating with Muhammadiyah in advancing education in this region,” he affirmed.
This partnership marks a pivotal moment in fostering innovation and cooperation in Islamic and higher education across ASEAN. (***)