For two days (20-21/12), seventy-two boards of the Office of International Affairs (KUI) for Muhammadiyah – ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) conducted the annual meeting of KUI Association (ASKUI) in Surabaya. The meeting was conducted offline and became the first offline meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic. The agenda was opened by the Vice Deputy of Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) for ASKUI, Prof Edy Suandi Hamid, followed by 72 representatives from 62 MHEIs. “I expect that in the following period, ASKUI would be more innovative and creative due to the more dynamic situation of higher education,” said Prof Edy.

In his direction, the Chairman of CHERD, Prof Lincolin Arsyad, expected that in 2022, there would be a concrete visit overseas to follow up the existing collaborations and produce more MoUs. “However, the MoU should be concrete, there should be a follow-up agenda. Not only the MoU signing. How MoU encourages MHEIs to be the center of excellence,” said Prof Lincolin.

In his remarks, The Rector of UM Surabaya, Dr Sukadiono as the meeting host, highlighted the importance of ASKUI’s existence to strengthen MHEIs. Therefore, UM Surabaya always supports the ASKUI program. “Before the pandemic, UM Surabaya also hosted the national congress (munas) and its leadership election of the previous period,” said the Rector of UM Surabaya.

Moreover, the Chairman of ASKUI, Yordan Gunawan, explained that 72 participants from 62 MHEIs from Sabang to Papua joined the meeting. “We raise a theme ‘International Collaboration Model for MHEIs’ to extend the coverage of programs and support the Independent Learning, Independent Campus program,” said Yordan.