The 2022 New Student Orientation for Campus Life (PKKMB) Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Surakarta (AISKA) was filled with a variety of traditional attire and Gunungan in Wayang (a Conical or Triangular structure inspired by the shape of a mountain). The New Student Orientation was conducted for two days, Monday-Tuesday (26-27/09) in Baroroh Baried Auditorium, the First Campus, AISKA.

After two years of the pandemic, the in-person student orientation was reconducted this year. In 2022, the committee raised the theme “To Produce Progressive Generation that Preserving Culture towards Independent Learning in the Post-Pandemic Adaptation Era”.

The diversity of traditional attires was worn by the attendees as an unusual occasion during the first day of the 2022 New Student Orientation. The participants, MC, and speakers also participated to raise awareness on preserving culture as the current theme. Besides the students, the Rector of AISKA, Riyani Wulandari, S.Kep., Ns.M.Kep on her remarks hinted that the traditional attires become a unifying symbol of Indonesian people as “Bhineka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity)”.

The Community Service of Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah (KKN-MAS) team of Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu (Unismuh Palu) designed an innovation. The team carried out student service in Maros and Takalar communities, South Sulawesi. The team formulated the concoction of local products, especially giant ginger. As they planned, they would continue to develop and produce ginger powder in Unismuh Palu. They also expected that in the future, the product would be a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) product.

The Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) Unismuh Palu, Dr. Muliadi SH MH appreciated the innovation. He also mentioned that the program was aligned with Unismuh Palu Chancellor, Prof Dr. H Rajindra SE MS’s ideas. His idea to establish the new businesses aimed to support the financial needs of campus development. “We plan to produce the ginger drink product to distribute to BNS or Alfamidi,” said Dr. Muliadi on Tuesday (13/09).

Besides the giant ginger drink, they also have other products, including tofu water and fertilizer. Interestingly, the giant ginger products are made from concocted giant ginger and various herbs with milk. The ginger drink will be beneficial to overcome health problems, especially heart disease, cough, fever, nausea, menstrual pain, travel sickness, cancer, and vertigo.

As mentioned by Muliadi, after the KKN-MAS team finished conducting the service, Muliadi would discuss the development and production process. He also provided all the production equipment that they need while the compositions are easily available in nearby communities.

إنَّا ِللهِ وإنَّا إلَيْهِ رَاجِعُوْن وَإِنَّا إليَ رَبِّنِا َلمُنْقَلِبُون

“We surely belong to Allah and to Him, we shall return”

Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) offers our deep condolences to the passing of  Prof. Dr. Syaiful Bakhri, SH, MH who served as the Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta in 2015-2021. May the late have a husnul khotimah, all of his worship may be accepted, his mistakes may be forgiven, and he may be rewarded the best place by Allah. Besides, may his family be patient and sincere. Aamiin.

Universitas Muhammadiyah (UM) Jakarta held a Public Lecture from the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) on Tuesday (27/09). The public lecture raised “The Role of National Consumer Protection of the Republic of Indonesia (BPKN RI) in protecting Indonesian consumers”. In the lecture, various parties attended including the Advocacy Commission Office, Dr. Rolas B Sitinjak SH MH; the Dean of Law Faculty (FH), Dr. Dwi Putri Cahyawati SH MH and her boards, and nearly a hundred academia civitas of FH UM Jakarta. It aimed to ensure consumer protection as a part of human resources who understand the legal terms.

The public lecture was also conducted hybrid, both in Zoom Meeting and the Legal and Moot Court building. In her remarks, Dr Dwi Putri Cahyawati, SH.MH as the Dean of Law Faculty mentioned that the Public Lecture aimed to share the role of BPKN RI in protecting consumers in human equity. “I hope that Pak Rolas’s attendance will receive inputs about ‘what is BPKN RI?’ or ‘Why does BPKN RI exist?’ and ‘How is the implementation of BPKN RI in providing equal consumer protection to communities?’ because the demand is to understand complaints and resolution. Moreover, you can understand who needs the right to receive consumer protection,” Dwi said.

The Advocacy Commission Office of BPKN RI, Dr. Rolas B. Sitinjak, SH., MH delivered his materials starting with consumer protection philosophy and history, especially BPKN RI. Rolas also explained the forbidden acts of business owners to consumers. According to him, there were six important points in ensuring consumer protection, including standardization, information, the way to sell, breaking the contracts, and marketing guidelines. Six points earlier have been mentioned in Verse 8-18 of the Consumer Protection Law. Furthermore, Rolas also gave a study case of Ibu Zubaedah as a consumer. She lost her house due to a culprit as a business owner. Rolas emphasized, “In fact, it (Ibu Zubaedah’s case) must not happen. The government should ensure consumers have their protection rights,” he said.

The vast international collaboration networks of Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI) reached Europe. On Tuesday (27/09), UMRI invited two German Professors of Law, Prof Dr. Stefan Koos and Prof Dr. Michael Bohne from Universität Der Bunderswehr München (UNIBW) from Germany. In this law seminar, they presented “Temporary Issues of Business Law in the World ”.

The seminar was conducted in KH Ahmad Dahlan Hall, the UMRI Main Campus, Tuanku Tambusai street, Pekanbaru organized by the Faculty of Law, UMRI. It raised “Data as Payment from 2 Perspective”. On this occasion, the UMRI Chancellor, Dr. Saidul Amin MA; the Daily Advisory Board, Prof Dr. HM Nazir; the Dean of Law Faculty, Raja Desril SH MH; numerous lecturers, and hundreds of enthusiastic students followed the presentation of Stefan Koos and Michael Bohne in English.

In his remarks, the UMRI Chancellor warmly welcomed the two professors in Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau. It became a part of the internalization of UMRI by establishing wide-range collaboration with various parties. “We are grateful for this agenda. I hope it can create the best chance for us to improve ourselves and take various advantages from this seminar”.

Furthermore, the Chancellor also prompted his students to focus. “Focus on learning the presentation, because it won’t come as a second chance. Take this opportunity to learn more,” he said.

“Currently, digital data can be monopolized. There is a lot of data in this world, the question is who owns the personal data? are we as the owner of identity or company that collect from the users,” Stefan said, provoking the participants.

The seminar would be followed up by an agreement to sign MoU between these two universities. In the agreement, both parties can organize an internship program, Joint-Research, publication of journals and books, establishing the Doctoral Program of Philosophy (Ph.D.), conference, and seminar at the time stated in the agreement.

Previously, UMRI organized a similar agenda with University Muhammadiyah Antarbangsa Malaysia (UMAM) in the first week of August 2022. The collaboration also resulted in a workshop on pre-proposal writing for Ph.D., especially for the lecturers who pursue their doctoral degrees at this university.

The Minister of Trade of Republic of Indonesia, Dr (HC) Zulkifli Hasan SE MM visited Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI) on Monday (26/09). On this occasion, he also delivered the first public lecture in the Academic Year of 2022/2023. Zulhas accompanied by his team arrived on time at 8.00 a.m. Meanwhile the UMRI students warmly welcomed the Minister in the UMRI Main Campus yard on Tuanku Tambusai Ujung, Pekanbaru.

As the host, Siak Regent, Alfedri attended the public lecture with the Head of Trade Policy Division, the Ministry of Trade, Dr Kasan; the member of the Indonesian House of Representative, Dr Kon Erizal SE MBA; the Assistant of Governmental Office, Riau Regional government, Yurnalis Basri; and the Riau House of Representatives, Ade Hartati. On the other hand, the Vice Chairman of Riau Provincial Board, Prof Dr HM Nazir; the Treasurer, Safri Yoes; the Daily Advisory Board of UMRI, the Rector of UMRI, Dr H Saidul Amin MA, the Vice-Rectors, the Deans, Directors, the Head of Institutes, the Head of Study Programs, and many other academic civitates also followed the lecture.

The Rector of UMRI, Dr H Saidul Amin MA explained that the Minister’s visit to UMRI became a remarkable momentum. He wished that the freshmen would be motivated to be the enlightened youth amid broader communities and for the loving country. 

Saidul Amin also mentioned that on this academic year, UMRI received 2,412 incoming students. From overall freshmen, there were also several non Moslem students. This number, according to the Rector, was due to Muhammadiyah’s goal as a universe blessing and mercy to all creation (rahmatan lil ‘alamin) in enlightening the universe as portrayed on the Muhammadiyah logo.

On the other hand, Zulkifli Hasan gave numerous encouragement to the students, including motivating to be courageous in competing. According to him, the ones who dare to compete will be the prominent people. “The ones who prepare themselves well will survive. However, the one who is not capable of preparing themselves will be eliminated,” Zulhas said.

On this occasion, he also hoped there would be a Minister, General, or Governor from UMRI. “I ensure that it will happen as you are now on the best campus in Riau,” said the Former People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia 2014-2019 that directly received a standing ovation. 

Furthermore, he mentioned that everyone has their own time. “We have the same 24 hours a day, whoever and what the profession is. The ones who can optimize it can be excellent. That’s why there will be a successful person, or not,” he added.

Besides giving motivation, Zulkifli also mentioned numerous achievements when he served as the minister in 109 days ago, including successfully controlling the market price to be relatively stable in post-pandemic economic recovery . Besides delivering his public lecture, the Muhammadiyah cadre also gave waqf (an Islamic endowment of property) of a classroom construction in the Tajdid Center building.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (UNIMUS) organized a public lecture with its alumni on Saturday (24/09). It was conducted by the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), UNIMUS. The public lecture was located in the Integrated Class Room (GKB) II by inviting the Head of Health Office, Semarang regency, Dwi Syaiful Nur Hidayat SKM MM, who is also the 2004 FKM Alumnus, and the Head of Sukoharjo Health Office, Tri Tuti Rahayu SKM MM, the 2005 FKM Alumnus.

The public lecture aimed to enhance students’ understanding of healthcare workers in the real world, especially their strategic roles, alumni’s exemplary work, and the advancement of technology in the 4.0 revolution era. The program was initiated by the head of the study program and faculty who underlined the importance of information and communications technology development. Because the development will enlarge the integrated networking system that follows the modernization of big data and paperless. It will collate information in one database, especially in healthcare system.

On this occasion, the Dean of the Public Health faculty of UNIMUS, Dr. Sayono SKM MKes delivered his remarks by highlighting the healthcare technology transformation would be a distinct character of FKM UNIMUS. Because of FKM UNIMUS’s vision as the Knowledge Center on Public Health. “Then, this Knowledge Center on Public Health will illustrate a global vision. The technological-based center that will be a prominent program in the applied technology innovation in Indonesia,” he said as reported on the UNIMUS site.

The Deputy Chair of Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD), Prof Dr. H Edy Suandi Hamid MEc, Sunday (25/09) visited and encouraged Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI) leaders. The meeting was located in KH Ahmad Dahlan Hall, UMRI Main Campus, Tuanku Tambusai street, Pekanbaru.

On this occasion, Prof Edy Suandi Hamid invited all leaders from various bodies to improve the campus development by working hard, discipline, and participating in teamwork. According to Prof Edy, to improve a university, leaders can not work alone. “For me, to work effectively is by Super Team. If you work alone, it is called Super Man, while we are not Super Man,” Prof Edy emphasized.

Prof Edy also encouraged all leaders of UMRI to work sincerely and provide the best example for others. “The leaders in every unit, you should work with discipline and sincerity. You also should give the best example, uswatun hasanah. For the leadership, we can follow the Prophet Muhammad’s leadership,” he continued.

Furthermore, the Economics professor also encouraged UMRI leaders to elevate institutional accreditation, study program accreditation at the national level, and institutional accreditation at the international level. He also asked the audience to design a road map for all lecturers to be more directed toward human resource development. At the meeting, the Vice Rector I, Dr Wirdati Irma MSi, the Vice-Rector II, Dr H Rasyad Zein MM; the Deans, the Head of Institutions, and the Head of Departments joined in the Main Campus of UMRI.

Bureau of Collaboration and International Affairs (BKUI), Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) held an International Cultural Academic Competition (ICAC), Saturday (24/09) in the seventh floor, the Siti Walidah UMS Main Building.

Head of Student Mobility & Hospitality, Nur Amalia, M.Teach explained that ICAC was an International Office program in UMS. The program presented several cultural acknowledgements, including poster competitions, traditional dance, traditional song, and traditional gastronomy.

“International Cultural Academic Competition is academic and non-academic competition, especially poster competitions, traditional dance, traditional song, and traditional gastronomy,” she said.

One of the outcomes was that the students had various experiences and knowledge about the cultural heritage from each country, especially tradition, cultural characteristics, and others. “By cultural and traditional arts acknowledgement, the students will improve their knowledge about the developing tradition from other countries,” she added.

The Vice-Rector V for collaboration and international affairs, Prof Supriyono S.T, M.T. Ph.D expressed his expectation to improve students’ experience and understanding of various cultures in each country, especially its tradition and characteristics. 

“Besides sharing the foreign culture from UMS international students for Indonesian students, it also introduces the diversity of Indonesian culture for the foreign students who study in international class,” Prof Supriyono said.

One of the participants, Nadia Oweida, UMS students from Egypt (Africa) followed the poster competition about stop bullying, meanwhile Ali Essam Ali Al-Sanani presented the traditional gastronomy of Yemen, kabsa. “We are ready to share knowledge about our nation’s tradition and culture,” Nadia said.

On Sunday (25/09), Religious Affairs Ministry’s Director General of Hajj and Umrah, Prof Dr. Hilman Latief visited Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (UMRI). In his visit, he encouraged 2,400 freshmen who followed the 2022 New Student Orientation for Campus Life (PKKMB).

During the student orientation, he also greeted all leaders in UMRI, including the Rector, Dr. H Saidul Amin MA, the Vice-Rector III, Dr. Jufrizal Syachri MSi, the Dean of Islamic Studies Faculty (FSI), Dr. Muhammad Syahrullah, and several lecturers of the faculty.

The Dean of Islamic Studies Faculty, Dr. Muhammad Syahrullah warmly welcomed and expressed his gratitude for the visit. “The campus that can produce high-quality resources hopes to collaborate with various stakeholders, especially the government. On this occasion, the Director General of Hajj and Umrah,” he said.

Furthermore, Syahrullah also mentioned that the collaboration will be focused on education and research, pilgrims assistance and counseling, and Hajj guide certification.

“To make it more concrete, there will be collaboration in education and research, pilgrimage assistance and counseling, and the certification of Hajj guide,” said Syahrullah.

On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Hilman Latief mentioned the gap between research and public needs. “In reality, there is a research tradition that does not match between the topic and result of research and the need in the community. It did not align. Currently, there is a gap between the campus academic world and Hajj-Umrah improvement studies”.

Hilman Latief also explained that he opened the collaboration for the Faculty of Islamic Studies UMRI, especially in Islamic Psychology. It can be realized by assisting and conducting counseling for the pilgrims both in Indonesia and in the holy cities of Makkah.

“Counseling is required due to the long waiting period of almost 30 years. It can be a phenomenon that triggers depression and mental health of the Hajj pilgrimage. We hope that the psychology students can guide pilgrimages,” he said.

Hilman also emphasized that to ensure the professionality of Hajj and Umrah management, it is important to certify Hajj and Umrah assistance. The academic campus was expected to produce qualified human resources in organizing Hajj and Umrah to manage pilgrimages.

On this occasion, the Rector of UMRI, Dr. H Saidul Amin also stated that the collaboration between them is inevitable. UMRI should produce numerous professional workers in managing Hajj and Umrah. “The total Hajj pilgrimage costs that reached 163 trillion potentially develop in Sharia Economics method. The number of pilgrimages increases every year. It needs professional workers in the management,” Saidul said.