Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) collaborated with Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) and organized The National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) for Academic Affairs in Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs), Tuesday-Thursday (24-26/05). Located in Four Point Hotel, Medan, the meeting was attended by 156 participants, consisting of Rectors, Vice-Rectors for Academic Affairs, and others.
Prof. Lincolin Arsyad, the Chairman of CHERD, opened the meeting, welcomed all participants from the campus boards, and appreciated UMSU as the host of the meeting. He also mentioned that currently, Muhammadiyah has 172 MHEIs that spread all over Indonesia and several regions require Higher Education Institutions. Therefore, it requires MHEI collaborations to develop by learning from each other. The Chairman of CHERD also expected that MHEIs should improve as superior in Higher Education. Especially in developing the information system department and supporting the learning process through technology systems. “I recommend to all MHEIs that have no information system department or related studies, immediately establish the departments. Because it is essential in the following years,” he continued when opening the meeting.
Meanwhile at the closing ceremony, Prof Edy Suandi Hamid delivered his remarks on Thursday (26/05). He also appreciated UMSU as the meeting host in providing good service and facilities in Rakornas. In summary, the Deputy-Chair of CHERD explained that the result of the 2022 National Coordination Meeting would be followed up and the various ideas would be formulated for the Independent Accreditation Institution (LAM) materials. Furthermore, it would also become the Muhammadiyah CHERD program.
The Rector of UMSU, Prof Dr. Agussani also mentioned that the result would be beneficial to MHEIs in Indonesia. Therefore, MHEIs should learn and coordinate. “We expect that Rakornas in the following year will build MHEIs as Muhammadiyah service to synergize with Muhammadiyah movement. Because higher education management will be meaningless without developing Muhammadiyah as an organization and its services,” he said.
