Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo (UMSIDA) hosted the 2022 Muhammadiyah Education (ME) Awards on Saturday (08/10). Located in KH Ahmad Dahlan Auditorium, it raised the theme ‘The Rise of Muhammadiyah Future Leader’. Various competitions have been honored, including tahfidzul qur’an (memorizing the Quran), Arabic speech, English speech, storytelling, qiro’ah (reciting Quran), business plan, outstanding teacher, outstanding education personnel, school magazine, and learning material innovation.

The Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Council for Primary and Secondary Education (Dikdasmen) of East Java, Dr. Arbaiyah Yusuf MA appreciated the UMSIDA Rector for facilitating the ME Awards. “ME Awards illustrate the core value of Muhammadiyah, especially pioneering education. Two other values include sincerity and Islamic brotherhood (ukhuwah islamiyah). We gladly welcome the 48th National Congress (Muktamar),” he said.

The participants who followed the awarding nights were the finalists who passed elimination rounds from 11 different competitions. Each school has undergone intensive assessments from 2017 to 2022. Three categories became the assessment points, including the outstanding school, the excellent school, and the inspiring school.

On this occasion, Dr. Hidayatulloh MSi, UMSIDA Rector responded positively to the ME Awards in UMSIDA. He was proud of various achievements from Muhammadiyah’s young generation, therefore, he would provide scholarships for the first-place champions. “And as I mentioned to Dikdasmen PWM East Java, UMSIDA is ready to provide scholarships (for the champions). It is specifically for the first place in the Senior High School category in every competition as our appreciation to outstanding students from Muhammadiyah in East Java,” he said.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara (UMMU) held a guest lecture inviting five leaders of Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) on Wednesday (05/10). Located in the UMMU Rectorate Hall, the lecture was opened directly by the Rector of UMMU and attended by hundreds of students and various lecturers and boards. On this occasion, the guest lecture raised the theme “Sharing Ideas from Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) for Universitas Muhammadiyah Maluku Utara (UMMU)’s improvement”.

In his remarks, UMMU Rector, Prof Saiful Deni mentioned that sharing ideas was currently important to UMMU’s future improvement as UAD illustrated. “In our 21 years, UMMU should innovate and develop constantly with various breakthroughs in the future, both in campus improvement and student’s capacity,” he said.

Aligned with the Rector, the UAD Vice Rector I for Academic Affairs explained that UAD would consistently support the development both in campus facilities and academic affairs for students. “UMMU and UAD were under the guidance of Muhammadiyah as the other MHEIs that we should collaborate to elevate various developments. Currently, UAD has more than 25.000 students and first-class facilities and we hope that in the future, UMMU can develop more as UAD did,” he added.

This Sharing Ideas agenda was opened by the presentation by Rusydi Umar, Ph.D., the UAD Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, and Oktomi Wijaya, SKM, M.Sc., the Coordinator of Collaboration and Training, Ahmad Dahlan Disaster Management Center. The second material was the presentation of the Indonesia International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) and International Credit Transfer (ICT) from Ida Puspita, M.A.Res, the Head of Office of Partnership and International Affairs. The third material was about Proposal Writing Skills from Nur Rifa’i Akhsan, M.Ed, the Head of the Creative Economy and Tourism Studies Center. The last material was delivered by Muhammad Nur Syuhada, S.Psi, M.Psi, Psikolog, the Coordinator of Research and Community Service, Ahmad Dahlan Disaster Management Center raised the topic of Psychological Dynamics of Disaster Management. All materials were selected based on the current needs of UMM students and lecturers.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang (UNIMMA) conducted a workshop on Research Roadmap Arrangement to support the researcher eligibility on Friday (07/10). The workshop was a collaborative program with the Research and Community Service Communication Forum (FORKOM LPPM) of Central Java, LLDikti Regional VI. The online workshop invited 300 students from all representatives of the Research and Community Service Institute (LLPM).

The Chairman of LPPM UNIMMA, Dr. Retno Rusdijati MKes in learning and education, research and scientific publication, community service, and character education for researchers. “The workshop has various purposes, first, to optimize the role of lecturers in internal and external research programs. Second, to manage the research outputs so they will achieve academic expectations. Third, to evaluate the lecturer’s capacity in researching every topic of interest. Lastly, it aims to build a lecturer career based on their expertise,” Dr. Retno said.

Also attending the workshop, Prof Ir Muji Setiyo ST MT, the Engineering Faculty lecturer delivered his presentation. Prof Muji mentioned that research was one of four core values ‘Catur Dharma’ of Higher Education to overcome the problems in the advancement of technology and science, and material development. “The advantageous research will improve social welfare and educate people with more insight. It will be implemented by the lecturers as the main actor of this Catur Dharma,” he said.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Metro (UM Metro) through the Computer Science Student Association (HIMPROSIK) of the Computer Science Faculty launched a digital village in Ngestirahayu, Punggur district, Central Lampung. Located in the Village Hall, Drs. H. Jazim Ahmad, M.Pd, UM Metro Rector; the Head of Punggur district; the Dean and Vice Dean of Computer Science Faculty, all village government and the communities nearby.

The advisor of the Student Organization Capacity Building Program (PPK Ormawa), Mustika, S.Kom, M.Kom mentioned the aim of the Digital Village establishment to provide access to village administration services easily, promote Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and encourage the digitalization of the village’s administration.

On the other hand, the Head of Punggur district, Sukistoro launched the digitization system and expressed his expectation to facilitate various services and implement their duties easily in providing information and services to the community.

The Rector of UM Metro, Drs. H. Jazim Ahmad, M.Pd also congratulated all student organizations for carrying out the grand launching of the digital village in Ngestirahayu. “I hope the digitization of village service as one of PPK Ormawa programs can facilitate the administerial service and provide solutions for any problems in Ngestirahayu,” he said.

The launching procession was attended by over 100 people. To officially launch the Digital Village, Sukistoro, the Head of Punggur district hit the Gong, while the Rector, Drs. H. Jazim Ahmad, M.Pd drew the curtain of the Digital Village sign.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat (UMSB) organized an accreditation process in the field assessment method from Monday to Wednesday (03-05/10). On this occasion, the Pharmacy department conducted the accreditation as the issuance of the Ministerial Decree Number 1317/KPT/I/2018 for its four-year validity period. Two Indonesia Accreditation Agency for Higher Education in Health (LAM-PTKes) assessors including Dr apt TN Saifullah S SSi MSi from Universitas Gadjah Mada and Dr apt Aminah Dalimunthe SSi MSi from Universitas Sumatera Utara.

On the first day, the field assessment involved the data confirmation from the implementation, result, and effectiveness of the Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI). There was also 1-9 criteria data from the Study Program Performance Document (DKPS) from all assessors. The rector of UMSB, Dr Riki Saputra MA officially opened the field assessment. Afterward, the Dean of Pharmacy, Dedi Satria SSi MEng PhD and the Head of the Pharmacy department, apt Afdhil Arel MFarm, presented the Study Program Management Unit (UPPS). The assessors also reviewed the campus facilities.

Meanwhile, on the second day, the assessors interviewed various parties, including the lecturers, representatives of the students, and educational personnel. Furthermore, it was completed with the signing of the Field Assessment official record, recommendation, and warp-ups. The field assessment was closed by the Rector who appreciated the assessors for their suggestions, critics, and recommendations. “We hope that the Pharmacy department can be better in every aspect, both in quality and quantity in facilities and human resources,” he concluded.

Universitas Siber Muhammadiyah (SiberMu) launched the SiberMu virtual campus on Wednesday (05/09). The launching was held as the first year commemoration of the campus since it received an operational permit from the Ministry. On this occasion, the President of Muhammadiyah Central Board, Prof Dr. KH Haedar Nashir, M.Si; the Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD); the Daily Advisory Board of SiberMu, Prof Dr. Chairil Anwar; the SiberMu Chancellor, Dr. Ir Bambang Riyanta ST MT; academic civitas; various partners, colleagues, and guests joined the in-person meeting.

After reciting of Qur’an and singing the national anthem “Indonesia Raya” and Muhammadiyah song “Sang Surya”, it continued with short remarks and immersive technology explanation by Dr. Bambang Riyanta. He also officially opened the launch by reporting the current development of SiberMu after receiving an operational permit. According to him, SiberMu serves as a big opportunity to use immersive technology in providing a deep immersion in an artificial environment in real life. In his explanation, SiberMu has over 1,200 applicants from 34 different provinces.

 

The Introduction of Immersive Technology from Universitas Siber Muhammadiyah

Dr. Bambang Riyanta hinted that SiberMu would apply its service development based on immersive technology. “It includes virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality,” he said. He admitted that they respond to the demand to develop the concept by various metaverse developments globally.

He also presented the virtual campus of SiberMu which was in development. The virtual campus presented was complete with a rectorate building, library, and faculty building. “It was expected that the virtual campus can facilitate the student-to-student interaction based on virtual reality. Later, it will be a HoloLens microscope to design a laboratory based on augmented reality that needs more psychomotor aspects,” he added.

On the launching, the virtual campus becomes the main agenda to be presented. “It needs Muhammadiyah support because it can be a new beginning of progressive Muhammadiyah values,” he hoped. To launch the virtual campus officially, Prof Dr. KH Haedar Nashir inaugurated the SiberMu campus by stating basmallah.

 

Messages from President of Muhammadiyah Central Board

After the inauguration of the SiberMu virtual campus, he mentioned several highlights of the metaverse that became the main issue in the virtual world. He emphasized that technology should have positive benefits for people. “Do not use technology to be a threat to human civilization and relations. It depends on how we serve human leadership on earth,” he highlighted.

He also mentioned three noble values in Islam. First, Bayani as Islam educational system has a major turning point as the source of knowledge. Second, Burhani is as educational system based on the mind (al-’aql) and empiricism (al-tajribah). Third, Irfani as an educational system based on al-’ilm al-hudluri, a human can maximize his mind’s potency to create expediency in the world and at once their safety in the after-life.

Furthermore, he also emphasized that the Moslem value of life towards the world as “only amusement and diversion” always be translated negatively, but it could be different with the advancement of technology. “We think that we should be cautious about the world due to its materialistic and hedonistic. However, we present the world as amusement and we construct it to be more valuable,” he said. He continued that it will change our perspective about life because this current life is multidimensional and multi-perspective.

Three Islamic values that he explained will be a foundation for how civilized people are. “(Our) value of life will save the human race (on earth),” he said. To attain the goal, he added, we should make sure that religion and Pancasila can be understood with a wide range and depth of perspective. Because when the fundamental values in the state of mind would be misunderstood, it is widely affected to the core of life. “Do not stop learning and master your mind. Use this immersive world for the enlightenment preaching practices, educate and save humans and all entities in the universe. That is what we called rahmatan lil ‘alamin,” he concluded.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo (UMSIDA) held an international seminar on hybrid method in Tuesday (04/10). The seminar that raised “Improving the Quality of Islamic Higher Education in Indonesia towards the Era of Global Competition” was located in KH Mas Mansyur hall, First Campus of UMSIDA. The Hall was filled with 200 students who followed the seminar offline, while the other 400 students joined online. It was organized by the Islamic Studies Faculty (FAI) UMSIDA.

On this occasion, the keynote speakers from this international seminar came from various countries, including the UMSIDA Chancellor, Dr. Hidayatulloh MSi, and Associate Professor in Cotabato State University, The Philippines, Prof Nhelbourne Mohammad Ph.D. In addition, the Member Board of Director Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (uniSZA), Malaysia, Prof Abdul Hakim Abdullah, and the Jami’ah Al-Qur’an Al Karim Khartoum professor, Prof Dr. Faizal Mahmud Adam Ibrahim attended in Sidoarjo.

Furthermore, besides the keynote speakers, the seminar also invited several invited speakers from UniSZA Malaysia, Prof Dr. Engku Ahmad Zaki Engku Alwi, Prof Madya Dr. Nadhirah Nordin, Prof Madya Dr. Normadiah Daud, and Ustadz Abdul Aziz Sulaiman.

The Dean of FAI UMSIDA, Dr. Istikomah M.Ag mentioned that this scientific seminar became a milestone to achieve ASEAN Recognition for UMSIA. “One of the FAI’s programs is to establish international collaboration in 2019 as a credited student mobility program that continues with online methods. Alhamdulillah, the Covid-19 case in Indonesia has decreased. This year, FAI UMSIDA will continue the collaboration for the student exchange programs, and also joint-research between UniSZA and UMSIDA,” she said.

Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Bandung students reiterated in receiving Jabar Future Leader Scholarship (JFLS) from West Java provincial government. This scholarship was strong evidence to show Unisa Bandung students’ achievements. That was a statement from the Head of Student Affairs Division, Hendra Gunawan, S.Pd., M.K.M. on Monday (03/10).

“Alhamdulillah, Unisa Bandung students who applied to JFLS got the scholarship. It is evidence that Unisa Bandung students have a lot of achievements. Because to gain the scholarship, they should have various accomplishments, both in academic and non-academic achievements,” Hendra said.

In an interview, Hendra said six students receive the 2022 JFLS, including Izzatul Aini (the first-year student of Nursery Science), Rahma Hariri (the third-year student of Midwifery Science), Habibah Humnah (the fourth-year student of Nursery Science), Sabilah Rahmah (the third-student of Midwifery Science), Mia Anggi (the first-year of Nursery department), and Salsa Billah (the fourth-year of Midwifery).

Sabila Rahmah, the Midwifery student, admitted that she was grateful and appreciative for receiving the scholarship. She also hoped through the scholarship, she can get various experiences and can contribute to developing West Java.

“Alhamdulillah tabarakallah, I have the opportunity to get a scholarship from the governor. Besides receiving tuition fees, I hope I can get experience in volunteering and contribute to elevating Jabar,” she said.

An electric car from The Electric Car Research Center (ECRC) Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) was ready to compete in Shell Eco-marathon, an international contest on Friday (30/09). The electric car, then, was released with the ECRC team to the West Nusa Tenggara by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Sofyan Anif, M.Si, the Vice Rector III, Ihwan Susila, S.E., M.Si, Ph.D., and the Dean of Engineering Faculty, Rois, Ph.D. in the Siti Walidah Main Building. The Rector symbolically released the car by opening its black cover and handing the helmet over to the driver.

The ECRC UMS will compete in a global academic competition focused on energy optimization of Shell Eco-marathon after it passed the third phase. They will send Ababil Evo III to discover the Mandalika circuit, West Nusa Tenggara. In addition, the competition will be organized on 11-15 October 2022. The Ababil Evo III is the third generation of an electric car that elevates its qualities by improving its positive condition while decreasing the negative ones.

“I remember in the second generation, it won in a Japanese competition and it needs several parts to be fixed. For this third generation, alhamdulillah, it passes the Shell Eco-marathon,” the Rector said.

The competition by Shell is a competition to highlight the most energy-efficient vehicle, not the fastest. “The competition indicator is the energy efficiency, not the race,” said Ir Muhammad Al Fatih Hendrawan, S.T., M.T as the ECRC UMS supervisor accompanied by the Head of Student Affairs Bureau, Cholid Al Ghofari.

Nonetheless, the electric car from ECRC UMS can race at 55 Km/hour. Ababil Evo III also can track for 265,2 KM/kWh. It is an energy-efficient car that prioritizes drivers’ safety with other positive items although it is not included in the assessment. [] UMS

The College of Education and Teacher Training (STKIP) ‘Aisyiyah Riau held its 20th anniversary on Monday (05/09). The commemoration was an appreciation of the establishment of STKIP ‘Aisyiyah Riau in 2002, twenty years ago. The ‘Sempena Milad 20 STKIP ‘Aisyiyah Riau’ commemoration raises the theme ‘To Raise and Be Optimistic”. The theme portrayed the long struggle of STKIP ‘Aisyiyah Riau to face all challenges.

In the Sempena Milad, STKIP ‘Aisyiyah Riau invited various parties, including the Muhammadiyah Provincial Board (PWM) of Riau; Aisyiyah Provincial Board (PWA), the Boards of Mega Sharia Bank; the Boards of PT Pegadaian; the UMRI Chancellor; the autonomous organizations in Muhammadiyah; the Headmasters of Kindergarten both private and public school; the Headmasters of ‘Aisyiyah Kindergarten, Muhammadiyah Schools from Elementary to High School; and ‘Aisyiyah Council for Primary to Secondary Education (Dikdasmen); and the former Chairman of STKIP from the first period to 2021; and the Chairman from other public higher education institutions, especially the collaborative partner.

The theme “To Raise and Be Optimistic” was expected to encourage the communities to face all problems and challenges. To raise is to stand strong in every obstacle in life and believe everything will be better. Meanwhile, to be optimistic means to see everything comprehensively and better to look at the bright side to grow the positive affirmation in everything and we will learn the lesson from everything that happens.