MUI Conducts Historic Visit to Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia, Strengthening International Islamic Education Collaboration
Malaysia – Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), led by its Secretary General, Amirsyah Tambunan, accompanied by MUI Chairman K.H. Cholil Nafis, Prof. Dr. Sudarnoto Abd Hakim, MA Trisna Juwaili, Dr. Erni Juliana Al Hasanah, SE, Drs. Bunyan Saptomo, and several other members, conducted a historic visit to Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) on November 9, 2024. This visit marks a significant milestone as UMAM is the first Muhammadiyah university established outside Indonesia, serving as a source of pride for the Indonesian community.
During the visit, the MUI delegation was warmly welcomed by UMAM’s leadership and academic staff. In his remarks, Prof. Waluyo, Vice Rector of UMAM, highlighted that UMAM has now launched various doctoral (PhD) programs as part of its commitment to advancing high-quality Islamic higher education while embracing global developments. The doctoral programs offered by UMAM include Information Technology, Education, Business and Management, Islamic Studies, and Social Studies.
Prof. Waluyo stated, “We strive to make a significant contribution to higher education, particularly for international students who wish to pursue doctoral studies in fields relevant to the demands of the era.” He emphasized that UMAM remains dedicated to becoming a globally competitive center of education, while firmly upholding Islamic values as its core foundation.
Amirsyah Tambunan, MUI Secretary General, expressed his profound appreciation for the establishment of UMAM, describing it as an essential step in strengthening the position and contribution of Indonesia's Islamic higher education on the international stage. “MUI fully supports the programs initiated by UMAM, especially those related to the development of Islamic studies and social sciences, to foster the creation of an excellent and globally competitive generation of Muslim scholars,” he said.
MUI Chairman K.H. Cholil Nafis further emphasized that the founding of UMAM in Malaysia symbolizes the strong ties between Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly in the fields of education and Islamic propagation (dakwah). He expressed hope that the collaboration between MUI and UMAM would continue to grow, particularly in Islamic studies and education, to address the global challenges faced by the Muslim community today.
The visit took place in a spirit of solidarity, aimed at advancing Islamic education and propagation in the modern era. This historic event is expected to strengthen the collaboration between UMAM and MUI while opening up broader opportunities for joint efforts in promoting Islamic education and enhancing Muhammadiyah’s contribution on the global stage.