Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of global standard education by establishing a strategic partnership with one of Malaysia's top universities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). This partnership was marked by the arrival of a delegation from UTM, as the initial implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that had been agreed upon.
The UTM delegation that arrived at the UMPWR campus consisted of two lecturers, Dr Ahmad Nabil Bin Md Nasir and Dr Muhammad Afzamiman Bin Aripin, along with 13 UTM students. This visit is part of a student mobility programme scheduled to take place from 28 September to 2 October 2025.
UMPWR Rector, Associate Professor Dr. Teguh Wibowo, M.Pd., welcomed this initiative. ‘We are very pleased to welcome our academic colleagues and students from UTM. This collaboration will not only enrich academic knowledge but also serve as a strong cultural bridge between Indonesia and Malaysia,’ he said.
In his speech, Vice Rector IV for Cooperation and AIK, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tusino, M.Pd.BI., said that "UTM students and lecturers will be involved in a series of academic and non-academic activities. In addition to participating in guest lectures, discussions, and scientific activities with UMPWR students, they will also have the opportunity to learn about and experience first-hand the richness of Indonesian culture, especially Javanese culture," he said.
Furthermore, in his speech, the representative from UTM, Dr. Ahmad Nabil Bin Md. Nasir, as Head of ATVET, UTM, said, ‘Of course, we would like to thank Muhammadiyah University Purworejo. We are here to strengthen the legacy of cooperation that has been established. We hope that this collaborative activity will continue and have a positive impact on universities and between Indonesia and Malaysia.’
The Head of Cooperation and International Affairs (KUI), Associate Professor Dr. Jeki Wibawanti, also added that ‘This cooperation visit also serves to sign and hand over the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The process of extending the MoU between UMPWR and UTM took a considerable amount of time, spanning six stages, as UTM has strict procedural requirements for obtaining an MoU.’
In addition to the main agenda, which was the handover of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document from UTM to UMPWR, there was also the signing of the Implementation Arrangement (IA) agreement between the Deans overseeing the Faculties at UMPWR and the UTM delegation. Among others, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics (FE) Dr. Intan Puspitasari, the Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) Dr. Riawan Y. Purwoko, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta) Dr. Roisu E. Mudawaroch, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (FT) Agung Setiawan, M.T., and Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Law and Social Sciences (FPHIS) Itsna Iftayani, M.A., as well as Head of the Automotive Engineering Education Programme (PTO) Dwijatmoko, M.Pd. The event was also attended by Abdul Afif, M.Pd, Head of International Cooperation, and Galih Bagas Soesilo, LL. Automotive Engineering (PTO) Dwijatmoko, M.Pd, as well as Abdul Afif, M.Pd, Head of International Cooperation, and Galih Bagas Soesilo, LL.M, Head of Domestic Cooperation.
In addition to academic discussions between the leaders and deans of UMPWR and UTM, a guest lecture was also held, featuring student representatives. The guest lecture was held at the Kasmansingodimedjo Auditorium. On this occasion, students from UMPWR and UTM also presented cultural performances characteristic of their respective countries.
It is hoped that through this activity, the two institutions can establish closer ties as part of efforts to enhance the quality of the Tri Dharma and open up broader opportunities for cooperation in the future.
