Purworejo – Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) has reaffirmed its commitment to producing globally competitive graduates by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the International Test Center (ITC) for the administration of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) through the UMPWR Language Center.
Held under the theme "Synergizing Excellence: Strengthening Institutional Quality Through International Standard Testing," the partnership marks a strategic step toward providing internationally recognized English proficiency certification for students while strengthening the university's overall academic quality.
The signing ceremony was attended by UMPWR Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teguh Wibowo, M.Pd., the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, the Vice Rector for Cooperation and Al-Islam Kemuhammadiyahan (AIK), representatives from the Office of International Affairs (KUI), the Language Center, heads of study programs, and delegates from the International Test Center.
In his remarks, Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teguh Wibowo emphasized that the collaboration represents more than a formal agreement. Instead, it reflects UMPWR's ongoing commitment to equipping students with competencies that meet international standards.
"The implementation of TOEIC at UMPWR is expected to enhance the competitiveness of our graduates and better prepare them for the demands of today's global workforce. This initiative also supports the implementation of our Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum, where learning outcomes are measured not only through academic achievement but also through internationally recognized competencies," he said.
The Rector further expressed his hope that the partnership would extend beyond document signing to include concrete programs, such as English language training and regular TOEIC testing for students. He also welcomed opportunities to develop English proficiency programs for lecturers.
"We hope this partnership will grow into an active and productive collaboration that contributes to improving the quality of human resources at UMPWR," he added.
Representing the International Test Center, Benjamin expressed his appreciation for the newly established collaboration and officially welcomed UMPWR into the TOEIC certification network.
"We sincerely appreciate the trust that UMPWR has placed in us. This collaboration is an important step toward building a stronger English language ecosystem, particularly for university students," he said.
Benjamin explained that TOEIC is an internationally recognized English proficiency assessment specifically designed for workplace communication. As a result, it has become one of the most widely used certification tools among higher education institutions to prepare graduates for professional careers.
He added that the partnership is not limited to certification services but also includes opportunities to support English language training for the university's academic community. In the long term, UMPWR is expected to develop into an official TOEIC Test Center, serving not only the university but also the wider community.
"TOEIC can open more opportunities for graduates entering the workforce as well as for lecturers pursuing further studies. We are grateful for this opportunity and hope this partnership will continue as a long-term collaboration that supports UMPWR's vision and mission," he stated.
In addition to the signing ceremony, the event featured an academic discussion focusing on strengthening English language competencies, integrating international certification into higher education, and exploring future collaborative programs between UMPWR and the International Test Center.
Through this partnership, UMPWR continues to strengthen its commitment to developing a globally oriented academic environment. The establishment of TOEIC services on campus is expected to enhance the English proficiency of students and the academic community while producing graduates who are better prepared to compete in the international workforce.
