Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo continues to strengthen its international partnerships through the implementation of strategic collaboration with Marikina Polytechnic College. Six UMPWR lecturers participated in the International Mobility in the Sabbatical Leave Program held in the Philippines from May 18–23, 2026, through a series of activities including Research Collaboration, Guest Lectures, and Community Services.
The program was a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed by the Rector of UMPWR, Teguh Wibowo, together with the Vice Rector IV for Cooperation, Tusino. The collaboration was further coordinated by the Office of Cooperation and International Affairs (KUI) of UMPWR through various academic and international community engagement activities.
Head of KUI UMPWR and lecturer of the Animal Science Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Jeki Wibawanti, delivered a guest lecture entitled “Innovations in Fermented Foods for the Foodservice Industry.” In the session, he highlighted the significant role of fermented foods in supporting functional food innovation, food safety, and sustainable food product development. The lecture also discussed various fermented livestock-based products such as kefir, yogurt, cheese, and fermented meat and egg products that have strong potential as health-supporting foods aligned with global trends in healthy lifestyles, gut health, and sustainable food industries.
The Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Intan Puspitasari, also attended the program to deliver a guest lecture and conduct collaborative research with MPC lecturers entitled “The Interplay of Digital Financial Literacy and Investor Sentiment among Gen Z in Indonesian and Philippines.” The comparative study explores the interaction between digital financial literacy and investor sentiment among Generation Z in Indonesia and the Philippines, two of Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing fintech markets. The research examines how digital literacy influences Gen Z’s investment decisions, whether through rational and informed choices or emotional and trend-driven behavior.
Meanwhile, Management Study Program lecturer Murry Harmawan Saputra presented a lecture titled “Energizing SMEs in Emerging Markets.” He emphasized that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) serve as the backbone of both Indonesia’s and the Philippines’ economies by fostering inclusive economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening community resilience. Innovation, digitalization, and collaborative ecosystems were highlighted as key strategies for enhancing MSME competitiveness and sustainability in emerging markets.
Another guest lecture was delivered by Ishak under the theme “Sustainable Financial Literacy,” which also became the focus of collaborative research with lecturers from the Management Program of MPC Philippines. The topic emphasized the importance of sustainable financial literacy in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including encouraging responsible investment behavior and environmentally conscious consumer choices.
Another Management lecturer, Hubi Rahmat Andika, presented “The Evolution of Marketing,” which also served as the foundation for an international collaborative research project entitled “The Effects of Green Marketing Strategy and Brand Image on Purchase Decision: The Mediating Role of Green Brand Knowledge among Consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.” The lecture explained that modern marketing has evolved beyond product sales toward value-driven, technology-oriented, and sustainability-based approaches. Consumers today are increasingly concerned with social and environmental issues, encouraging companies to implement green marketing strategies and sustainable business practices.
In addition to academic and research activities, the program also featured a Community Services initiative led by Fitri Rahmawati through the topic “Empowering Local Communities Through Innovative Processing of Traditional Food.” The session focused on empowering local communities by introducing innovative processing methods for Indonesian traditional foods to increase their economic value. One example shared was the innovation of peanut crackers (peyek) using local Philippine agricultural products such as cashew nuts and other grains. This initiative is expected to encourage MSMEs in the Philippines to become more adaptive and competitive in the global market.
Through this program, UMPWR reaffirmed its commitment to expanding international collaboration, broadening global academic perspectives, and supporting the development of innovative, collaborative, and globally competitive higher education.
