Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) reinforced its international partnership through a collaborative program with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia and Ma'ahad As Sultan Ahmad Shah Ad Dinni Bandar Jengka under the theme “Culturally Responsive Science Learning: Exploration of Indonesia–Malaysia Local Wisdom” on February 12, 2026.
The activity featured Dr. Arif Maftukhin, M.Pd., as the keynote speaker and was attended by teachers and students of Ma'ahad As Sultan Ahmad Shah Ad Dinni Bandar Jengka. In his presentation, Dr. Arif emphasized the importance of culturally responsive science learning in enhancing students’ interest, motivation, and conceptual understanding of science.
He introduced various elements of Indonesian local wisdom as contextual learning resources. One of the highlights was the scientific study of Borobudur Temple from a physics perspective, discussing structural design, balance, and stability. Traditional culinary items such as dawet ireng and mi ongklok were also explored to explain thermodynamics, mass measurement, temperature, volume, fluid concepts, as well as conduction, convection, and radiation. Additionally, traditional games such as marbles and egrang (bamboo stilts) were presented as practical examples for science-based analysis.
The program also explored Malaysian local wisdom. The structural study of the Petronas Twin Towers, along with traditional foods such as nasi lemak and ABC ice dessert, were discussed as contextual science learning materials, highlighting similarities between Indonesian and Malaysian cultural heritage.
The event concluded with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Hj. Azmi, Principal of Ma'ahad As Sultan Ahmad Shah Ad Dinni Bandar Jengka, symbolizing the strengthening of collaboration between UMPWR, UiTM Malaysia, and the Ma’ahad.
This initiative is part of UMPWR’s International Community Service Program (KKN Internasional), which was officially launched on January 19, 2026, by the Rector of UMPWR, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teguh Wibowo, alongside the Vice Rector for AIK Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tursino, as a commitment to strengthening Indonesia–Malaysia educational cooperation.
The Head of the Bureau of Cooperation and International Affairs (KUI) UMPWR, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jeki Wibawanti, also highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer through community service and international research collaboration.
On the same occasion, 15 UMPWR students participating in the International KKN program in Bandar Jengka, Malaysia, were officially withdrawn by Abdul Ngafif, M.Pd.B.I., Head of International Cooperation Division of the KUI Bureau.
Through this program, UMPWR continues to demonstrate its commitment to expanding global academic networks and promoting innovative, contextual, and culturally grounded science education.
