Pekanbaru (UMRI) – The Board of Islam and Muhammadiyah (AIK) Affairs Forum of Muhammadiyah – ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) were warmly welcomed by the Riau Governor in Serindit Hall, Riau Governor’s Residence, Drs H Syamsuar MSi, in Pekanbaru, Saturday (01/10). That social gathering was held in reverence.

The gathering that also became a closing ceremony of the national meeting was attended by the Deputy Chair of Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD), Prof Dr. M Noor Rochman Hadjam, MA. He was also accompanied by the Chairman of Islam and Muhammadiyah Affairs Forum, Prof Dr. Syamsul Arifin MSi, the Provincial Muhammadiyah Board and ‘Aisyiyah Board in Riau, and the UMRI Chancellor, Dr. H Saidul Amin MA. The closing ceremony started with the dinner with the Riau Governor and all participants and UMRI academia civitas.

“We highly appreciate choosing Riau Province as the host of this remarkable agenda. I hope what has been planned in the national meeting brings benefit to the organization and Indonesian, in general,” Syamsuar said, in his remarks.

The appreciation from Riau Province initiated by Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau impressed Prof Noor Rachman. “We are astonished by the Riau Governor’s remarks and the UMRI Chancellor’s welcome. We also want to appreciate all the hospitality and this warm welcome,” he said with enthusiastic applause.

The National Meeting of Islam and Muhammadiyah Affairs Forum was officially closed by the Deputy Chair of CHERD and said farewell to all participants who would head home the next morning.

The Board was currently led by Samsul Arifin from Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang in 2020-2024, supported by M Ikhsan Dahlulfani from UM Metro as the Secretary and Sudaryono from UM Klaten as the Treasurer.

The closing ceremony was also attended by the First Assistance of Provincial Government Secretary, H Masrul Kasmy MSi, the Vice Rector, the Deans, and all UMRI academia civitas.

Eighteen musyrif and musyrifah (student mentors) of Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Yogyakarta in 2022-2023 were officially inaugurated on the local campus, Saturday (01/09). They were prepared as dormitory mentors for 1,900 incoming students in the university. On this occasion, the mentors were the scholarship awardees from Unisa Yogyakarta. Unisa also organized a selection process for 26 prospective mentors that included various selection materials, sholat (prayer) and thoharoh (cleanliness) practices, reading and writing the Qur’an, and also interviews to test their commitment.

The prospective mentors, previously, carried out two-month intensive training in the dormitory. This training aimed to build four competencies to be owned by the musyrif/musyrifah. Specifically, four competencies include religious competency, academic and intellectual competence, social-humanity, and exemplary competency which includes organization and leadership values.

The inauguration became the ceremonial induction after training for the musyrif and musyrifah that was attended by the Daily Advisory Board (BPH), Dra. Hj. Uni Hani, M.Kes; the Unisa Yogyakarta Chancellor, Warsity, S.Kp., M.Kep., Sp.Mat; the Vice Rector III for AIK (Islam and Muhammadiyah) and Student Affairs, Dr. Mufdilah, S.SiT., M.Sc; the Chairman of Islam Studies and Practices Institutes (LPPI), Dr. Islamiyaturrahman, M.Si; the Vice Dean of Health Science Faculty, Wantonoro, Ph.D.; and the Vice Dean of Economics, Social Science, and Humanities Faculty, Nur Fitri Mutmainnah, S.IP., M.P.A. The various guests from UMY University Residence Board and Muhammadiyah Students Association also witnessed the inauguration.

The Dormitory director, Royan Utsany, Lc, M.H.I highly appreciate all musyrif and musyrifah who have been patient and committed to carrying out the intensive training. “I hope that this achievement will be beneficial in the implementation of dormitory programs and also affect the quality of human resources in Unisa Yogyakarta,” he said.

In her remarks,  Warsiti, S.Kep, M.Kep, Sp.Mat, Unisa Yogyakarta chancellor, prompted all mentors to uphold noble characters and become a good example for all students in the dormitory. The procession was also witnessed by the General Secretary of Student Dormitory Management Association (ASLAMA) MHEIs, Mahfud Khoirul Amin, MSi, and took the oath of commitment from musyrif and musyrifah. 

Furthermore, the procession was closed by putting a cap (peci) for males and ID Cards from the Vice-Rector III, Dr. Mufdilah, S.SiT, M.Sc. to the musyrif and musyrifah in 2022-2023. “We expect your duties and responsibilities (in the dormitory), to assist the freshmen with 10-day assistance while they stay here, in the Unisa Yogyakarta student dormitory,” she added.

Student Creativity Program – Karsa Cipta (PKM-KC) team from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UM Surakarta) designed an innovative automatic brake control system. The prototype can detect human objects around the blind spot area on mining heavy equipment. The equipment will automatically work to stop the engine when it comes to several conditions related to workplace accidents.

In an interview, Umi Fadillah ST, the supervisor, mentioned that the prototype uses the Internet of Things (IoT) system. It aimed to develop a prototype from various job-related accidents in Indonesian mining industries, especially in the last few years. Moreover, work accidents that were closely related to heavy equipment, can cause death. “The workers enter high-risk areas from heavy equipment. One of the possible causes is blind spots from the equipment,” she said on Friday (30/09).

The students who develop the prototype include Untung Budi Utomo, the 2020 Electrical Engineering student; Indar Hidayat and Hidayatus Sufyan, the 2019 Public Health students; and Adin Nur Rohman, the 2021 Industrial Engineering student. In the development, the innovation was supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and UM Surakarta.

She continued with the expectation that the innovation will raise the work safety rate in mining industries. “So that it can create a new space in improving the work safety based on technology,” she concluded.

The Boards of Islam and Muhammadiyah (AIK) Affairs Forum of Muhammadiyah – ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) in Indonesia for the Academic Year 2020-2024 were officially inaugurated. Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI) successfully hosted the inauguration followed by a national meeting.

The inauguration was conducted in Pangeran Hotel Ballroom, Pekanbaru on Friday (30/09) attended by the Deputy Chair of Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD), Prof. Dr. Noor Rachman Hadjam; the Chairman of Islam and Muhammadiyah Affairs Forum, Prof. Dr. Syamsul Arifin MSi; Assistant 1 of Provincial Government Secretary of Riau, Masrul Kasmy; the Rector of UMRI, Dr. H Saidul Amin MA; the Muhammadiyah Provincial Board of Riau, Prof Dr. HM Nazir Karim, MA, and representatives of each institution in Indonesia.

The Rector of UMRI mentioned that AIK becomes the main spirit of MHEIs. However, in real practice, it only becomes a supplement. Because in the future, AIK should be internalized in MHEIs. “AIK and MHEIs are like the body and spirit which inevitably correlate to each other. It makes us different from other institutions,” he said.

In the future, Saidul hoped that AIK is not only a supplement, but also has other roles such as processing, nurturing, and developing AIK in every curriculum and subject.

On this occasion, the Deputy Chair of CHERD, Noor Rachman Hadjam, was expected from the inauguration to exchange ideas and design an interesting and creative concept.

“We hope the forum will release creative concepts that will be implemented as the goal we want. By creative concept, it will be a distinct characteristic of Muhammadiyah institutions and also the Islam and Muhammadiyah Affairs Forum,” he said.

Furthermore, Noor Rachman highly appreciated UMRI for being able to synergize with various parties. “I am impressed how UMRI maintains a harmonious relationship with the local government. It can be illustrated by the government’s support for this program. It will be a good example for all MHEIs in Indonesia,” he added.

For the 2020-2024 period, the Forum will now lead by Samsul Arifin from Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Ikhsan Dahlulfani from Universitas Muhammadiyah Metro as Secretary, and Sudaryono from Universitas Muhammadiyah Klaten as Treasurer.

Samsul Arifin, then, explained that AIK becomes a value that lives in an organization, especially for MHEIs. “So as inventory, AIK becomes a compilation of fundamental values that should be comprehended, internalized, and implemented in daily life, especially for the lecturers, educational personnel, and students,” he said.

The team from Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) students won the gold medal in World Youth Invention and Innovation Award (WYIIA) and Doza Srekja Macedonia Special Award. The team was led by Imam Mahdi, the 2021 Chemical Engineering student with Yolanda Waldatul Marwa, the 2020 Chemical Engineering student, Rini Suphia Nuryati (the 2020 Physics student), Asna Adira Finan (the 2020 Physics), and Annas Putra Maulana (the 2021 Physics student) as the members. They were supervised by Adi Permadi, S.T., M.T., M.Farm., Ph.D. The International contest was conducted in Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Monday-Friday (22-26/08) followed by 254 teams from 26 different countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Uni Emirat Arab, South Korea, Turkiye, Brazil, Montenegro, India, Mexico, Qatar, South Africa, and many other countries.

The team raised “Paving from Used-Masks is an Alternative Solution for Reducing Environmental Harm”. Paving, in this term, is an eco-friendly pavement due to the face mask waste, plastic, and seashells as the main composition.

The research was from the concern of the economic growth and people quantity that affects the increase of face mask waste, especially in the pandemic era. “During the research, we use the face mask waste that has been washed with detergent. After it is dried, it burns. The seashells, it is cleaned and finely chopped, and ground. The mixture will be processed with cement and water. Mix it evenly and after that, it is pressed in paving block mold,” Anas, one of the members, said.

He continued that they required twelve hours to dry the waste to make a strong paving block. It needs to prepare face mask waste, seashells, water, cement, and sand. It also needs a cement mixer, paving block mold, and scissors. The UAD team was expected to create economic development in climate change. Through the paving block produced from face mask waste, they can establish a collaboration in reaching SGDs (Sustainable Development Goals) or sustainable construction.

To elevate the Study Program Accreditation and Higher Education Accreditation (AIPT), Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI) hosted the preparation clinic for AIPT and Higher Education Database (PDDIKTI) Operators. It was followed by several Islamic Higher Education Institutions in the Coordination of Islamic Colleges (Kopertais) Regional XII Riau-Kepri. It was located in KH. Ahmad Dahlan Building, UMRI Main Campus, Pekanbaru, Friday (30/09).

The KH. Ahmad Dahlan building was filled by 28 representatives of higher education institutions, including Vice Rector I, Dr. Wirdati Irma SPd MSi. Dr. H Fajri Ismail, MPdI, is the assessor of the National Accreditation Body for Higher Education (BAN-PT) and Independent Accreditation Institution for Education (LAMDIK). The preparation clinic discussed monitoring and evaluation of accreditation rating (PEPA).

“We are grateful to be selected as host. The recognition from a university was from its accreditation. If it has a great point, it surely becomes a prominent campus for the communities,” said Irma, in her remarks.

She continued, “I hope it (the preparation clinic) runs well, so we can implement the material to be an excellent accredited university, both in the study programs and institution. I hope it is not the final effort, but it will be a follow-up agenda to reach our paramount goal”.

The agenda was followed by STAI Al-Azhar Pekanbaru, STIES Imam Asy Syafi’i, IAI Tafaqquh Fiddin Dumai, STIT Al-Kifayah Riau, STIT Mumtaz Karimun, STEI Iqra Annisa, STAI STAI Sulthan Syarif Hasyim Siak Sri Indrapura, STAI Lukman Edy, STAI Tuanku Tambusai, STEI Ar-Rachman, IAI Abdullah Said Batam and STIT Hidayatulloh Batam.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Metro (UM Metro) launched Baitul Hikmah Mosque on Tuesday (27/09). Besides a campus mosque, UM Metro also launched three study programs and held a groundbreaking procession in the Medical Science faculty. The groundbreaking of the Medical Science was located on the third campus of UM Metro. The president of Muhammadiyah Central Board, Prof Haedar Nashir MSi inaugurated the Mosque accompanied by the Chairman of Muhammadiyah Provincial Board of Lampung, Prof Dr. H Marzuki Noor MS; the Metro Vice-Regent, Qomaru Zaman; the Chairman of Daily Advisory Board of UM Metro, Prof Dr. Hj Enizar MAg; the UM Metro Chancellor, Drs H Jazim Ahmad MPd and the University Boards, surrounding communities, and several students.

The Establishment Committee, Dr. Handoko Santoso MPd mentioned that the establishment was almost three years. It has been delayed for four months due to the pandemic. “It needs two years and seven months to build the mosque, starting from the Rector’s Decree,” he said. The qibla direction of the mosque has been certified by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Metro. It has 2.111,25 square meters and accommodates 1.500 people. “Baitul Hikmah mosque was divided into 3 floors. The first floor, basement, provides a Small Medium Enterprises booth, the mosque guards (marbot), lobby, and wudhu ablution room. The second and third floors provide the prayer hall,” he said. Dr. Handoko also explained that the funds were raised from various sources, including the campus, Athuros foundation, and people nearby. On the other hand, the Chancellor, Jazim Ahmad, in his remarks, mentioned the overall establishment progress of UM Metro on three different campuses.

Furthermore, the President of Muhammadiyah Central Board, Prof Haedar Nashir appreciated the overall remarkable establishment. He mentioned that it reflected the spirit and orientation of Muhammadiyah’s objective of improvement and consistent intention to progress.

To elevate the internalization of Islamic and Muhammadiyah values in Muhammadiyah – ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs), Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI) held a workshop on Mainstreaming Implementation of Islamic and Muhammadiyah (AIK) values in Integrated Curriculum.

The workshop conducted on Thursday (29/09) in Ahmad Dahlan Building, Main Campus invited Prof Dr. M Noor Rochman Hadjam MA, the Deputy Chair of Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD).

The Rector of UMRI, Dr. H Saidul Amin MA attended the workshop with the Daily Advisory Board (BPH), Prof Dr. H Nazir Karim MA, the Head of Departments, and numerous AIK Lecturers. Saidul Amin mentioned that AIK should be implemented by all academic civitas. It is a distinct point of MHEIs in internalizing Islam and Muhammadiyah as ideology, philosophy, and academically. “The alumni of MHEIs should internalize it in their daily life and become Muhammadiyah representatives amid communities. And UMRI should be a community miniature of Muhammadiyah,” said the Rector of UMRI.

On the other hand, Noor Rochman, as a Keynote Speaker, explained that by applying AIK, all civitas can start in their respective discipline. The lecturers can combine multi disciplines and transfer them into real practice. “We will find out how to understand AIK easily. And how incredible Islam in life,” he said.

The integrated strategy of mainstreaming Islam and Muhammadiyah values, including first, to uphold the high-quality curriculum. Every aspect, policy, and implementation should be documented in written documents. The implementation of the quality standard is objective and measurable. Second, is the high investment in its human resources. Third, the faith to make AIK as MHEIs’ spirit. It highlighted the educational aspect, not only the learning process. Because there is also an AIK curriculum in multicultural perspective for non-Moslem. Fourth, various parties’ involvement, including the stakeholders, staff, and leaders, even for the Muhammadiyah boards.

UIN Alaudin Makassar Hotel was filled by 124 students of the Health Polytechnic Muhammadiyah Makassar (Poltekkes Muh Makassar) to follow an Ideological Training on Thursday-Friday (29-30/09). The training, Baitul Arqam, was specifically for the students who have passed the Competency Test and waited for graduation. According to the Institute for Islam and Muhammadiyah studies, Irsyadah Ibrahim S.Ag., M.A, the training was conducted to support the implementation of Catur Dharma (the Four Values) of Higher Education Institutions and provided preparation for the prospective Poltekkes Muh Makassar alumni. So when returning to the communities, they will implement noble characteristics in communities. 

The Baitul Arqam was officially opened by the director of Poltekkes, Dr. H Effendy Rasiyanto, M.Kes and started with an Islamic Sermon by the Head of Daily Advisory Board, Dr. KH. Mustari Bosrah, MA, that was attended by the Vice Director II, St Fatimang, S.T., M.T; the Head of Radiology Department, Indah Musdalifa, S.Si., M.Si; the Head of Sanitation department, Novi Voni Harwani, SKM, M.Kes; the Head of Electro-Medical Technology, Suwarmiyati, ST, MT, and the Head of Medical-Laboratory Technology, Nurul Ni’ma Azis, S.Si, M.Kes.

The materials were delivered by the Cadre Education Council for Muhammadiyah Regional Board, Religious Ideas in Muhammadiyah from Dr. KH Mustari Bosra, MA; Worshiping Practice based on Tarjih from Drs. Amir MR; Cadre Profile and Muhammadiyah Leaders Values of Struggle from Husain Abdul Rahman, M.Pd.I; Muhammadiyah as charitable science and scientific charity from Dahlan Sulaiman, S.Ag., M.Pd.I; and Strengthening Muhammadiyah Ideology and Muhammadiyah Cadre Work Ethic from Saiful Kaharuddin, S.Pd.I. Interestingly, the training was followed by Non-Moslem students who enthusiastically followed the Baitul Arqam. The training would be followed by the second batch on 11-12 October 2022 for the Electromedical Technology department and Medical Laboratory, and Sanitation for 215 students in total.

The Baitul Arqam was expected to be a preparation for Muhammadiyah cadres to understand Islamic worship practice in the right way, as a moderate and tolerant people.

To have a good career for Universitas ‘Aisyiyah (Unisa) Bandung graduates is widely available both in Indonesia and abroad. Knowledge and skills in the academic learning process could be the basic capital to face competitiveness in pursuing a career. That was a statement from the Board of Trustees Unisa Bandung, Dr. (HC) Ir. Muhammad Hatta Rajasa when he gave his remarks on the third commencement in Haris Hotel and Convention Center, Wednesday (28/09).

“You have plenty of opportunities to have a good career from your knowledge. It can be the main career capital, but it is not enough. You should improve your skills, both in soft skill or hard skill, even in setting up a larger network,” Hatta said.

In front of 144 graduates, Hatta was prompted to keep learning and improving their ability to face competition in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond.

“To improve your knowledge, you can keep learning and learning, so you can work anywhere in this workforce that is widely available for you. It is a tough competition to succeed but nothing is impossible when we prepare well,” he said.

The third graduation of Unisa Bandung was attended by the ‘Aisyiyah Council for Higher Education representative and the Higher Education Institution Service (LLDikti) IV, West Java and Banten. In line with Hatta Rajasa, the Secretary of ‘Aisyiyah Council for Higher Education, Sulistyaningsih also believed that Unisa graduates are competitive in the Fifth Industrial Revolution.

“That the post-pandemic challenges and fifth industrial revolution are in front of you. However, we believe that you can be tough and reliable, and have good and noble characters. It can inspire you to make innovation,” Sulis highlighted.

On the other hand, the Coordinator of Institutional Function of LLDikti IV of West Java and Banten, Yeni Rospiani, S.S., M.M hoped that the degree could be highly advantageous.

“We wish that your degree will be your capital in carrying out your works in the industrial world. The important thing is that education can support you to actualize in the highest achievement to provide more advantages for the parents, communities, institutions, and countries,” she said.