Muhammadiyah is Indonesia’s most extensive Islamic organization that has prepared human resources and Muhammadiyah services in various sectors, especially education. That was a statement from Hasto Wardoyo, the Head of the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN), on the signing of the MoU between BKKBN and Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) in UM Semarang Friday (18/03). The collaboration aimed to accelerate the stunting problems that increased sharply in several provinces. Besides UM Semarang, UM Surakarta and UM Yogyakarta are also involved in this collaboration. 

“Muhammadiyah CHERD permits us (BKKBN) to collaborate with 174 Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions in Indonesia. The collaboration aims to improve human resources through stunting prevention,” Hasto Wardoyo explained. The partnership involved a basic core program for producing excellent human resources based on the family core. The Student Study Service (KKN) in all MHEIs that collaborates with the Independent Learning program engages students to participate in the improvement of community awareness. “Because the family development is an extensive topic. Besides stunting, it includes mental-emotional disorders that become BKKBN and Muhammadiyah CHERD orientation,” he continued.

The Rector of UNIMUS, Mashrukhi, mentioned various programs of BKKBN that are in line with Muhammadiyah’s mission. “One of BKKBN programs, Bangga Kencana, is suitable to decrease stunting cases in Indonesia. Several programs of BKKBN also matched with various programs in MHEIs,” said Mashrukhi.