Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) – The second day of the 2026 PPKKMB and Masta program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) gave new students an opportunity to learn more about Muhammadiyah, its identity, and its role in promoting the values of Progressive Islam.
The session was delivered by Dr. Bachtiar Dwi Kurniawan, S.Fil.I., M.PA., Chairman of the Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah’s Council for Cadre Development and Human Resources, on Tuesday (September 15, 2026). Commonly known as Gus Bach, he spoke on the theme “Muhammadiyah Generation: Defining the Identity of Progressive Islam on the Campus of Civilization.”
In his session, Gus Bach introduced the new students of the 2026/2027 academic year to Muhammadiyah as an Islamic organization committed to amar makruf nahi munkar—encouraging good and preventing wrongdoing. He emphasized that both aspects need to go hand in hand if Muhammadiyah is to continue growing and making a broader contribution to society.
“If Muhammadiyah wants to soar higher, its efforts in promoting good and preventing wrongdoing must work together,” Gus Bach explained.
He also encouraged students to see Muhammadiyah not simply as an organization, but as a movement with a long-standing commitment to serving society through its various Amal Usaha Muhammadiyah (AUM), or Muhammadiyah charitable and educational institutions.
One example is Muhammadiyah’s extensive network of schools, which can be found in communities across Indonesia, including remote areas, as well as abroad. Through these institutions, Muhammadiyah continues to contribute to education and the development of human resources.
“Muhammadiyah hopes to educate and empower the nation so that it can move toward greater progress,” he said.
For Gus Bach, Muhammadiyah’s commitment to education is closely connected to its broader mission of bringing benefit to society. The movement seeks to spread goodness without discrimination, regardless of background or social group.
This spirit, he explained, is part of what it means to promote Progressive Islam—an approach to Islam that encourages knowledge, advancement, and meaningful contributions to society.
Through the session, freshmen were introduced not only to the history and identity of Muhammadiyah, but also to the values that underpin its movement. As students of a Muhammadiyah university, they were encouraged to understand these values and carry them into their lives both on campus and in society.
The session was part of the 2026 PPKKMB and Masta program, which is designed not only to introduce new students to academic and campus life, but also to strengthen their character and understanding as members of the wider Muhammadiyah community.
With this understanding, UMPWR’s new students are expected to grow into a generation with a strong Islamic identity, an open mind toward the changing times, and a commitment to creating progress and meaningful benefits for society.
