Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) - once again demonstrated its role as a bridge for international cooperation by facilitating the signing of a cooperation agreement between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and SMK Negeri 1 Purworejo. The event, held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at SMK Negeri 1 Purworejo, is part of UMPWR's efforts to help expand international education networks, particularly for vocational high schools (SMK) in Purworejo, through academic visit programs to schools.
In this case, UMPWR, through its International Affairs Office (KUI), acted as a linking institution that brought together schools and international universities to develop joint programs. Present at the event at SMK N 1 Purworejo from UTM Malaysia were Dr. Muhamad Afzamiman bin Aripin, Dr. Ahmad Nabil bin Md Nasir, and 13 students.
Dr. Indriati Agung Rahayu, M.Pd, Principal of SMK N 1 Purworejo, warmly welcomed the academic visit from UTM Malaysia. "We are very enthusiastic about the academic visit agenda of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). We hope that the students of SMK Negeri 1 Purworejo can gain global insights, international experience, and an overview of studying at UTM. Thank you to UMPWR for being the bridge that made this very meaningful collaboration possible," she said in her speech.
Head of the Cooperation and KUI Bureau of UMPWR, Dr. Jeki Wibawanti, also added that UMPWR is committed to being an active liaison between educational institutions in Indonesia and foreign partners. “The collaboration between SMK Negeri 1 Purworejo and UTM Malaysia is a concrete step to expand international networks, open new opportunities for students, and support the strengthening of vocational education,” she explained.
This collaboration serves as tangible evidence that partnerships between universities, schools, and international partners can create strategic opportunities for improving the quality of school human resources and broadening students' horizons to a global level.
