Malang- Nine Muhammadiyah Higher Institutions (PTM) across Indonesia took part at workshop in developing foreign cooperation at Muhammadiyah University of Malang (UMM) (8/12). The two-day event aimed to support PTM in Indonesia to go international.

 

The nine PTMs coming to the event were UMM as the host, Muhammadiyah University of Palembang, Muhammadiyah University of Ponorogo, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, Muhammadiyah University of gresik, Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya, Muhammadiyah University of Jember, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, and Univerisity of Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. HAMKA (UHAMKA). In his opening remark, Deputy Rector II of UMM, Drs. Mursidi, MM says that it is high time for PTM to step forward toward global competition. "To realize the dream, PTM around Indonesia must unite to strengthen foreign cooperation," said he.

 

The member of Majlis Dikti (Higher Instituion Council) PP Muhammadiyah, Prof. Lincolin Arsyad, Ph.D, talked on “Internationalization Strategy". According to him, PTM must be aware of the world inter-dependency and must be open to the world. Internationalization is not easy. The institution must be admitted, accepted, and needed by outside world.

 

“Through internationalization, we will be able to compete globally. One of the keys is the quality of the institution itself," said he. Lincolin explains that the quality improvement can happen naturally, but it needs a long process. Thus, it needs inside and outside trigger, for example, national and world accreditation. He also says that internationalization can be measured in three things. First, there is pluralism of local students/lecturers and foreign students/lectures. Second, the research is published in international journals, including the graduates who work  in foreign countries. Third, there are students and lecturers who go abroad to do student exchange program, to do the research, and to teach.

 

Lincolin gives strategy to PTM wishing to internationalize by expanding international network, collaborating with foreign universities in terms of research as well as article and journal writing, doing double degree programs, such as training, undergraduate, graduate dan postgraduate.

 

Besides presentation from Majlis Dikti, the committee also presented speakers from an institution providing foreign teachers, Internship. This instituiton offers cooperation in terms of teaching assistance from various countries. Nowadays, there are two internships at UMM who help teach English. They are from Poland and Greece.

 

Full support is given by UMM rector, Muhadjir Effendy, to PTM  wishing to go international. He hopes the potentials in each PTM must be optimized. "If needed, there will be an event together with UMM, such as comparative study or finding scholarship to European Union," said he. During the event, he also invited two investment brokers from Switzerland who accompanied Indonesian ambassador, Djoko Susilo. The two people offer the cooperation in the field of education, namely investment in developing alternative energy and garbage treatment. However, to UMM, they are studying to invest medical equipment for UMM's teaching hospital.

 

On the second day, there was presentation from PTMs that have a  strong international office, such as UMM, UHAMKA, UMS, and UMY. The purpose is to share experience in managing and creating joint program to realize a joint idea.

 

At the end of the event, the General Chaiman of Muhammadiyah Central Executive, Prof. Dr. Din Syamsuddin, MA supports that progressive step to expand globally. Din also mentions several opportunities from his foreign visit. On the other hand, up to now, there are a lot of inactive cooperation due to limited budget and human resource.