Through the information system of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, the institutional transformation of STKIP Muhammadiyah Barru to Universitas Muhammadiyah Barru (UM Barru) has been approved by the new establishment of 3 study programs. “We wait for the issuance of the transformation decree of Universitas Muhammadiyah Barru,” said Dr Andi Fiptar Alam, the Chairman of STKIP Muhammadiyah Barru, who is also the Muhammadiyah Regional Board in Barru. “Now, we need to adjust what the assessors highlighted. They joined the Ministry of Education and Culture team to validate the information submitted,” Andi Fiptar continued. Accompanied by Ismail Suardi Wekke, Director of IUCSRS Network Program, a partner of STKIP Muhammadiyah Barru, said that the assessment had been carried out last year.

In addition, Ismail expressed his gratitude due to the information regarding the approval as good news and a new year gift. The approval here are three proposed study programs, namely physics, biology, and urban and regional planning. The latest information, Saturday, January 14, 2023, all three study programs have been recommended.

As for the transformation decree, they must wait. “We still need to be patient, we should wait for the decree and prepare the enrollment of new students. Including for introduction to the community,” the Head of STKIP Muh Barru added. STKIP Muh Barru has been established in 1974, and now manages two study programs. For this reason, having three approved study programs will be an opportunity for institutional transformation into a university.

Furthermore, Ismail Suardi Wekke mentioned that this is not the end. “This is the beginning to encourage the growth and development of higher education in Barru,” said Ismail. “While waiting for the issuance of the Decree, we need to make improvements to strengthen the institutions of STKIP Muhammadiyah Barru which in time will become UM Barru,” Ismail concluded.

STKIP Muh Aceh Barat Daya (STKIP Muh Abdya) students received Student Leadership Training from the Student Executive Board (BEM). The program was conducted from Saturday (14/1) to Sunday (15/1). Located at the STKIP Muh Abdya campus hall, 150 students joined the program with the theme “Building a Transformative Spirit and Reforming Leadership in the Society 5.0”.

The program invited three speakers from Australian alumni, namely Iskandar AS, the Head of Universitas Syiah Kuala Graduate Program in Education; Melly Misna, UIN Ar-Raniry lecturer; and Wildan Sani Rasyid, Muhammadiyah High School Principal in Banda Aceh. Mismaruddin Mahdi, the Muhammadiyah Regional Board in Aceh, prompted the students who follow the training to take advantage of this opportunity to develop the leadership character who are reliable, tough, responsible, and have good morals.

On the other hand, the President of STKIP Muh Aceh Barat Daya student, Afdhal Jihad, mentioned that the theme was selected due to the urgency of students to have critical awareness in order to own competitiveness in this industrial era 5.0. “As young intellectuals, the students have to develop a critical mindset and be able to be competitive in this global era. Because by always pursuing, nothing is impossible,“ said Afdhal.

One of the resource persons, Iskandar, explained that  STKIP Muhammadiyah Abdya student has the potential to compete. They have competitiveness against other campuses, both public and private. “With the English skills of students here, it is possible to pursue their Masters degree abroad. It means that they can obtain scholarships or student exchange programs between countries,” the Australian doctoral alumnus concluded.

Fifteen students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ) received scholarship on Friday (13/1). The scholarship they received was the Research and Innovation Talent Assistance Program (BARISTA) from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The scholarship provides a Single Tuition Fee (UKT) in their final year. The handover procession of the scholarship was located in the 3rd Floor Meeting Room, Civilization Center Building, UMJ.

The Coordinator of the BARISTA BRIN Scholarship Program, Nofyan Safri S Sos.I, explained that the scholarship provides student contribution fees, tuition fees, and research funds. The target of this scholarship program is active students in their final year of Diploma 4 and Undergraduate and Graduate Program (S1, S2, S3).

Dr. Ir Mutmainah MM, the Vice Chancellor II of UMJ, expressed her expectation that the scholarship recipients could finish their research on time. This is due to their responsibility for the scholarship they have received. “The scholarship is a part of trust from the government to UMJ,” he said.

The 15 scholarship grantees consist of a Doctoral Program in Islamic Education Management (MPI); ten Bachelor Programs of Agrotechnology Study Program; and four Bachelor Programs in Management and Accounting Study Programs.

Then, the funding from the BRIN scholarship in the BARISTA Program is through the payment of tuition fee for two semesters maximum, for Rp. 5,000,000.00 maximum per semester through a college account; while the research assistance fund for D-IV and S1 accounted for IDR 9,600,000.00 in two semesters; and the research grants for doctoral degree is IDR 10,000,000.00 in two semesters.

To start 2023, STKIP Muhammadiyah Barru organized a short course on academic writing “Short Course on Academic Writing 2023”. The Chairman of STKIP Muhammadiyah Barru, Dr Andi Fiptar Alam mentioned the urgency of the program in the opening of the Short Course, Friday (13/01) online.

Ismail Suardi Wekke as the Program Director of the IUCSRS (Indonesian Universities Consortium on Socio-Religious Studies) who is also the Chairman of STIA Abdul Haris Makassar mentioned that the Short Course was intended to prepare the students to write their final assignment carried out in even semesters. “We held the program in the beginning of the year to prepare students to write theses in their even semesters, so this will become a preparation to ease the students to finish their theses,” said Ismail Suardi Wekke, Ph.D.

The authors and researchers also revealed that in 2022, they have conducted scientific papers writing and it will be continued with the dissemination of the students’ writing in 2023. “In 2023, Maros Education Office focused on providing training facilities for students, previously in the 2022, the writing of scientific papers has been held and it will then be continued in 2023 with the dissemination of writing activities of students as well,” Ismail said.

On the other hand, the IUCSRS Program Director mentioned that the Short Course was an implementation of a collaborative program between 15 tertiary institutions that were members of Islamic Higher Education Institution Association (APTIKIS) and IUCSRS. “The IUCSRS network involves a higher education collaboration initiated by the Maros Education Office collaborated with STAI DDI Maros, where the network was initially formed during a workshop at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, last November,” he added.

The Short Course will be conducted online for 3 days starting from January 13-15. This Short Course does not only provide an academic writing training course but also has been started with a public lecture and will be finished with a scientific oration which is a series of activities at the end of the short course. “This short course is part of the capacity building of students outside the classes,” the Secretary of the Maros Education Office concluded. Based on interviews with Ismail Suardi Wekke who is also a lecturer and researcher, the material for this academic writing course supports participants to improve academic writing skills, such as the topic of “writing with Mendeley application”. Some of the materials presented will also be brought by experts in writing who come from various well-known public and private universities in Indonesia.

Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Bandung (Unisa Bandung), a Higher Education Institution, has several distinctions in elevating community health service to contribute to broader communities. On this occasion, Unisa Bandung collaborated with ‘Aisyiyah Regional Board to develop ‘Aisyiyah Clinic in Sumedang. Located in Prabu Gajah Agung 15 Sumedang, Resi Roswulan, M.IKom, the PR, informed the collaboration.

The Head of ‘Aisyiyah Regional Board in Sumedang, Isni Supriyati, S.Sos, appreciated Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Bandung’s guidance and assistance in improving ‘Aisyiyah Clinic in Sumedang. On the other hand, Unisa Bandung Rector, Tia Setiawati, M.KepNs.Sp.Kep. An mentioned that Unisa Bandung has a great opportunity to develop ‘Aisyiyah Clinic with a five years development plan. “Unisa has a great role in carrying ‘Aisyiyah Central Board vision to every Higher Education Institution in establishing and fostering clinics,” she said.

Tia also explained that the role of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Bandung in developing the Clinic was to elevate the managerial skills, improve existing potency, and provide assistance. “In this term, Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Bandung has several duties in fostering, assisting, and providing various facilities and financial support so that the ‘Aisyiyah Clinic as one of Muhammadiyah Services to be developed as Organizational Vision and Mission,” said Tia.

The Development of ‘Aisyiyah Clinic in Sumedang started with the groundbreaking ceremony. “Alhamdulillah, on this occasion, the ceremony was attended by the Head of Sumedang Health Office, the Head of Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Province Board in West Java, Sumedang local government, Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Bandung Rector, and the development team from Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Bandung,” she said.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Sinjai (UMSi) Rector, Dr Umar Congge, attended the National Seminar of Higher Education Collaboration as a speaker. Located in Universitas Pejuang Republik Indonesia, Makassar, the National Seminar was held on Wednesday (11/1).

On this occasion, UMSi was involved in 154 universities in IUCSRS Networks, the Consortium of Indonesian Higher Education Institutions, initiated by the Education Council in Maros, together with five other higher education institutions in South Sulawesi.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Sinjai has established as the merger of two graduate colleges in Sinjai. “With institutional transformation, we will develop better. Currently, the magister program and new study program in developing technology and science,” Dr Umar Congge said.

Ismail Suardi Wekke, the Director of the Indonesian Universities Consortium on Socio-Religious Studies (IUCSRS), mentioned the National Seminar of Higher Education Collaboration in building institutional solidarity.

“It will be our opportunity to collaborate. In Muhammadiyah, we call it a progressive movement,” said Ismail Suardi Wekke, who is also the Head of the Collaboration Institute in Muhammadiyah Province Board of West Papua.

On this occasion, the National Seminar was officially opened by the Rector of Universitas Pejuang Republik Indonesia, Dr M Darwis Nur Tinri. In his remarks, he mentioned the urgency of collaboration and cooperation.

The Panel Session, guided by Dr H Hasran Muchlis, discussed the development of higher education from Merauke to Banda Aceh. In this panel session, Dr Bakhtiar Abbas, the Head of STIE Enam Enam, Kendari and Dr Arifin, the Indonesia Doctoral Forum, were also presented.

Furthermore, Ismail also emphasized that this seminar became an opportunity to develop togetherness and various steps in the following years. “In early 2023, as a starting point, we are encouraged to build solidarity. At the same time, we also have various plans and projections,” said Ismail.

A Lecturer from Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu (UM Palu) was appointed as the Chairman of Indonesia Public Health Scholar and Professional Association (PERSAKMI) South-east Sulawesi 2023-2027, Saturday (7/1). The appointment was held hybrid, both online and offline, in the Persakmi Congress (Musda). It was located in the Poltekkes Kemenkes Palu, Jl Thalua Konchi, Mamboro, Palu.

Ahmad Yani, UM Palu Lecturer, replaced the previous chairman, Muh Rayman Napirah. He expressed his high appreciation to the previous board for their contribution. “We, the new boards, will continue the great previous programs. We also develop collaboration with various parties, from other organizations and other institutions,” he said. He also highlighted the priority program he had planned to confer personal rights of Public Health Scholar (SKM).

Persakmi was founded on 21 May, 1998 named as Indonesia Public Health Scholar Association. However on 8 August 2009, it was transformed to the Indonesia Public Health Scholar and Professional Association. As the development of UU 36 Year 2014 about Health Workers, Persakmi changed its name in 7 September 2017, in Padang to uncertain time.

Currently, Persakmi has two central offices in Makassar in Jl. P. Kemerdekaan KM 10 Tamalanrea and South Jakarta in Pondok Jaya III 5B Pela Mampang.

An international talk show with Alya Lawindo, a Minang student in American University, Washington DC, also a Minang activist in America, was held on Wednesday (11/01) in the First Campus of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat (UMSB).

The international talk show held by Student Executive Board (BEM) UM Sumatra Barat presented by Alya Lawindo. Born and raised in Uncle Sam’s country, Alya Lawindo did not lose her identity as a Minang girl.

Alya Lawindo mentioned that the younger generation should learn religion, customs and culture to prepare themselves, so that they don’t fail in life, especially when they are overseas. Although the Minang people now have diaspore to the world, the philosophy of Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah has rooted to the Minang people to make Islam as the only foundation and guideline in life.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor II of UM Sumatra Barat, Dr. Mursal, M. Ag, mentioned that Alya Lawindo was more Minang than people born in Minang. “Welcome to Minang, Alya Lawindo. In my opinion, Alya Lawindo reflects the Minang culture more than people born in  Minang. She is fluent in Minang language, and also knows more about Minangkabau customs and culture, “he said.

It is inseparable from the upbringing given by Alya Lawindo’s parents. Since childhood, Alya has been taught about Minang religion and customs. “Every Friday, my father invites me to join him in Friday prayer. At home, mom and dad also always speak Minang language,” she said. Apart from that, at a young age, Alya also started learning Minang dances and songs. Her skills elevated, and until now she is fluent in Minang language, can sing Minang songs, recites rhymes, and plays randai (a folk theater tradition) like Minang people in general.

In America, Alya also teached the children the Koran. Besides teaching Koran, with Rumah Gadang, Alya appeared in various shows, promoting Minang culture to various parts of this foreign country. “I participated in various festivals including the Richmond Folklife Festival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Kennedy Center, and other states. In addition, we often participate in cultural events at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC,” she explained. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Alya was also invited to take part in a virtual seminar as a millennial Minang girls (padusi) held by the Diaspora Network.

The director of the Minangkabau Islamic Study Center, Isral Naska, MA said that nowaday, the young Minangkabau generation is experiencing an identity crisis. Many of them are not familiar with Sumbang 12 (Minang philosophy) in Minang. “We thank Alya Lawindo for fulfilling the invitation of UM Sumatra Barat. A Minangkabau woman activist who was born and raised in America but still upholds Minangkabau values,” he added. At the end of the event, Alya highlighted, “Friends who were born and raised in Minang are so lucky”.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Lampung (UM Lampung) held a gathering agenda with Muhammadiyah Province Board (PWM) of Lampung on Tuesday (6/12). The program was organized by the UM Lampung Daily Advisory Board (BPH), PWM Lampung, and UM Lampung academics. Located on the 2nd floor of UML Campus I, the agenda also involved a handover procession of Muhammadiyah Central Board Decree for BPH. From the Muhammadiyah Central Board, UML received a Decree of BPH for the 2022-2026 period. The Head of BPH for the 2022-2026 period, Prof. Warsito PhD and his members were the parties who received the decree.

“It is a gathering between BPH UM Lampung and PWM Lampung. It was a follow-up agenda after receiving a Decree from PP Muhammadiyah. Furthermore, the Decree will be handed over directly by the Chairman of PWM Lampung, Prof. Marzuki Noor MS,” Dr. Mardiana, the UM Lampung Rector said.

On this occasion, Dr. Mardiana also invited all civitas academics to improve Islamic and Muhammadiyah studies (AIK). “We all have to improve AIK practice and knowledge. It’s time to reform UML to be a higher education icon in Lampung,” she said.

In his remarks, the Chairman of PWM Lampung, Prof. Marzuki Noor hoped that UML could develop better by implementing smart work, thorough work, and sincere work. The Daily Advisory Board has several duties under the Muhammadiyah Central Board. It also represents Muhammadiyah Central Board to carry out various tasks, such as providing directions and considerations in UML management;; collaborate with the UML leaders to prepare the Annual Financial Plan; then, together with the UML senate to draft the Basic Development Plan (RIP) and UML Statute.

The International KKN to Krabi, Southern Thailand and Internship students of Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara (UMMU) were officially released by the Chancellor. The procession was held in UMMU Rectorate on Tuesday (10/01/2023).

For the fourth batch, the delegation of the students was the highest among other batches for 15 students. They would serve for a month in Krabi Province through the Thailand Association. They were accompanied by the Head of the Bureau for Cooperation and Public Relations of UMMU, Faujia Umasugi., S.Pd., M.Pd and officially released by the Chancellor of UMMU, Prof. Saiful Deni.S.Ag., M.Sc.

The departure from Ternate passed Jakarta and Malaysia and continue to Thailand. According to the interview, the UM Maluku Utara students departed together with four other campuses and the handover procession was held by the campus to the Association. This program has been running since 2018 and UM Maluku Utara hopes the program will have constant improvements to networking, relations and coordination both nationally and internationally.

The handover procession of UMMU International KKN students was welcomed by the Mayor of Krabi, the President of the Association and other school leaders in Eakakap School along with 5 other campuses who also arrived on the same day. The Head of the UMMU Cooperation and Public Relations Bureau, who was also the student mentor, also delivered remarks by mentioning that this year, UMMU contributed the highest number of students. “On this agenda, UMMU has had this international collaboration program since 2018 and has been very active until today. In 2023, we send 15 student delegations,” she said.