Two teams from Universitas Muhammadiyah Bangka Belitung (Unmuh Babel) students won a national competition in 2022 Muhammadiyah Aerobics Contest on Sunday (19/06). The competition was followed by the teams from the Physical Education, Health and Recreation (PJKR) and Elementary Education (PGSD) departments divided into Group 1 and Group 3 respectively. Both groups succeeded to win as the second and third champions in the virtual competition for the UM Sukabumi Anniversary Commemoration Events.

The Rector of Unmuh Babel, Fadillah Sabri ST MEng, through Oktarina SPd MM, the PJKR lecturer of Unmuh Babel made a statement for this achievement. Oktarina, who also became the supervisor of the competition, expressed her gratitude towards the national accomplishment from PJKR and PGSD students. The first group consisted of three students, Putri Sanggar Kusuma, Safarani Tara Maghfiroh, and Suwardian Ramadhan. Meanwhile, the third group consisted of three students, Nur Husnun Fauziah, Safira Vilola, and Rahilda.

The aerobics style of the Unmuh Babel team was a combination of attractive, innovative, and Bangka Belitung-cultural concepts. “Alhamdulillah, it is a product of hard work, motivation, and the lecturers and students’ solidarity that succeed to bring the teams to win,” she said, as reported on the Unmuh Babel site.

Suwardian, one of the participants, admitted he was grateful to own trust to bring a good reputation to UM Babel. “We are ready to work hard in collaboration creating an interesting aerobics innovation. We expect that the video will stimulate us all to maintain a healthy lifestyle and support our daily activities,” he said.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Kotabumi (UMKO) collaborates with Capiz State University (CAPSU), Philippines in a student exchange program. Thirty-eight students from Capiz State University would follow various online lectures in UMKO, for approximately one month starting from Monday (20/06). The students would be divided into two different departments, comprising 20 students of Crop Science department and 18 Computer Science students.

The collaboration also became a part of the SEAMEO TVET Exchange Programme – 1st Batch of SEAMEO Virtual TVET Student Exchange implemented between all participating institutions in Southeast Asia in 2022. The program provided an opportunity to boost student exchange elevating accreditation points. In addition, the program would immensely benefit the students to improve their experience during the cultural exchanges.

Addressing the occasion, Dr Sumarno MPd, the Rector of UMKO mentioned the collaboration could give a tremendous advantage for both parties and encourage International Academic Mobility. “I hope the collaboration will be continued in the other fields, especially visiting professors/lecturers, research, joint-publication, and many other programs,” he said.

On the other hand, the President of CAPSU, Dr Dita C Alfon accompanied by the Vice-President for International and Collaboration affairs, Dr Marry Ann Martelino warmly welcomed the virtual lectures. She also mentioned that the virtual academic activities currently eased the process without reducing the essence of the learning activities.

The Head of International Affairs Office (KUI) UMKO, Asep Hardiyanto explained that the program implementation required a solid team between KUI and related study programs, in which the academic roles would be directly controlled by the study programs. “For instance, Agribusiness, Agrotechnology, and Information System departments has received varied visiting lecturers from CAPSU. It will trigger us to keep improving our campus’ quality. Consequently, all departments should be ready to receive visiting professors and exchange students post-pandemic to promote other International partner universities to collaborate with UMKO,” Asep highlighted. [] CHERD / UM Kotabumi

Universitas Muhammadiyah Lampung (UM Lampung) received the book grants from the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) on Friday (17/06). Perpusnas assisted in the development of the campus library. Meanwhile, the grants were through the Deputy of Library Development and Literacy Studies Center (P3MB). For UM Lampung, Perpusnas granted 1.000 copies of books and three units of computers. The Head of UM Lampung library, Yonnawati SH MH directly received the book collection. She expected that the book grants could benefit all academic civitas. Furthermore, it could support the implementation of the Four Values ‘Catur Dharma’ in higher education institutions.

From 1.000 copies of the book, five-hundred titles should be recorded in the administrative process, before being saved on the library shelves. The administrative process included first, identification labels by putting the property and inventory stamps. Second, inventory by highlighting the identity and quantity of the library materials in an inventory book. Third, cataloging. Fourth, is classification. Fifth, circulation cards involve call number, author, title, accession number, copy number, and pocket to hold the cards. Sixth, book listing to be placed in librarian service.

Yonnawati hoped that the new collection in Unmuh Lampung library could promote and develop literacy. “I hope it can encourage students and lecturers to improve their creativity and intellectual activity,” he said.

Furthermore, the Rector of UM Lampung, Dr Mardiana expressed her gratitude for having the honor of receiving book grants from Perpusnas to educate communities. “Library becomes a bridge that connects the past, present, and future. Let me express my sincere gratitude to Perpusnas for the book grants to UM Lampung,” she said. [] CHERD

The technological breakthrough of the metaverse was produced by a combination of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology, familiarly known as Extended Reality (XR). With the breakthrough, metaverse becomes a major trending topic globally. That was a statement from Ir. Galih Wasis Wicaksono, S.Kom., M.Cs, the Chairman of Informatics department, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). Due to the rapid technological advancement, UMM visited MIXPRO to develop the UMM Metaverse project.

Galih mentioned their visitation to MIXPRO was for a good reason. It aimed to know more about the entertainment company that owns a specific division to develop metaverse technology. “On this visitation, besides developing the UMM metaverse project, we also plan to initiate the Center of Excellence (CoE) establishment for Metaverse Academy,” Galih said.

Furthermore, Galih explained that in short, the UMM Metaverse project would be developed by two departments: Informatics from the Engineering Faculty and Communication Science from the Social and Political Science Faculty (FISIP). The implementation involves the lecturers and students from both departments. “Basically, the Informatics department will develop metaverse software, including unreal engine or the programmer supports. Meanwhile, the Communication Science department will create metaverse narration, scenario, concept, and the 3D artist. But we are not limited to the other department to collaborate,” he said.

He also expected the UMM Metaverse developmental project could be demonstrated in the 48th Muktamar (National Congress) in November, 2022. The project was expected to attract good energy for the further projects. For the CoE Metaverse establishment, Galih explained that it could be a complementary competence for students interested in developing metaverse projects. “We planned to conduct a short term training (one semester) to comprehend the programming, virtual reality, and augmented reality knowledge known as Metaverse Academy. Afterward, the students will also follow a metaverse internship program collaborated with MIXPRO. Shortly, the students with those experiences in metaverse or other projects, like SandBox can be absorbed by industrial enterprise, even before they graduate,” he said in a statement. [] CHERD

Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang (UNIMUS) organized training for Animal Sacrifice Ritual Management on Wednesday (15/06). It was particularly organized by the Islamic and Muhammadiyah Studies Institute and General Education Subjects (LSIK & MKU) UNIMUS. The training collaborated with Juru Sembelih Halal ‘Halal Slaughterhouse’ (JULEHA). Furthermore, UNIMUS Center for Nutrition and Food Studies was also involved by presenting Animal Sacrifice Ritual and Halal Product Assurance.

Forty-seven participants from various institutions and several educational institutions in Semarang attended the training. The Vice-Rector I, Dr Budi Santosa MSi Med; the Head of LSIK & MKU, Dr Rochdi Warsono MSi; and the Nutrition and Food Studies Center delegation, Dr Agus Suyanto also attended on the Seventh floor of Integrated Classroom (GKB) UNIMUS.

Dr Rochdi Warsono explained that the training aimed to prepare the participants to welcome Eid Al-Adha. “So the participants can prepare the materials and understand how to manage to slaughter sacrificial animals. Moreover, for UNIMUS, it is important for UNIMUS Farm,” he said. UNIMUS Farm is an animal farm, especially UNIMUS’s goats and sheep. Through the training, the organizers of slaughtering sacrificial animals understand the knowledge and provide facilities for the animal sacrifice ritual implementation.

The training also educated participants to be well-informed on how to slaughter in good and competent ways. In addition, the participants also could ensure the quality of the meat is proper and halal. It is important assuring the meats meet the requirements of ASUH (Safe, Healthy, Complete, and Halal)

Dr Budi Santosa also mentioned it was a good intention to assure the communities. “It is the first agenda, but I expect that it can be implemented routinely, so the communities can do and manage the slaughter based on sharia,” he said, as reported on the UNIMUS site.

Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) owns another remarkable achievement. This year, enormous numbers of foreign applicants that reached 1.411 International students from 59 countries applied for becoming the ‘Global Youth’ campus students. It is evidence that UMY was capable of attracting attention to prospective International students despite the pandemic.

Yordan Gunawan, SH.,MBA.MH mentioned the increase of the International student applicants reached one hundred percent from the previous year. “Alhamdulillah, in 2022, the number of international student applicants increased significantly. In 2019, 190 prospective students applied. Meanwhile, in 2021, it was inclined to 601 International students from 49 different countries. In the current year, it reached 1.411 Internal students who enrolled at UMY from 59 countries,” said the Head of UMY International Affairs Office.

He also reported that 245 students come from Afghanistan, while 129 students are from Angola. In addition, 90 students are from Yemen and around 60 students come from Pakistan and Nigeria. “While for the other countries, including the United States, Turkiye, Tunisia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Russia, Poland students were also registering. The increase of the foreign student applicants in UM Yogyakarta becomes one prideful achievement for UM Yogyakarta that obtains a high International reputation,” he added.

To support International student improvement, UM Yogyakarta provides the International Student Admission Center in the Admission Bureau. UMY also provides an integrated Information System Management (SIM) for foreign students that facilitates prospective students in enrolling. “The system transformation influences the increase of foreign students’ enrollment in UM Yogyakarta,” said Dr. Imam Suprabowo, S.Sos.I., M.Pd.I, UMY Admission Bureau.

Imam also explained that shortly, they would prepare varied facilities to ease information access for International students. “In the following years, the foreign students currently studying in UMY can promote our university by informing students in their home that there is one top private higher education institution in Indonesia that readily accommodates International students, namely UMY,” he highlighted. [] CHERD /UMY

The I-Trash Team of Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) bagged a gold medal in International Invention Competition for Young Moslem Scientists (IICYMS) and became the favorite category of the Indonesian Young Scientist Association (IYSA) Special Award. The team also won the IYSA Grand Award for the best-team category and obtained a fully-funded opportunity to compete in the 2022 World Youth Invention and Innovation Award (WYIIA).

The International competition conducted in Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung, 10-12 June 2022 was followed by 146 teams from eleven countries, comprising Indonesia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, Brazil, Montenegro, India, Mexico, Qatar, and South Africa.

The UAD team, led by Royan Agil Nugroho, brought the research about  “I-TRASH APP (Internet for Trash Application): Smart Solution for Garbage Transporter Based on Economic Creative”. The Mathematics student also mentioned that I-Trash App is an application to digitize waste quantities for garbage collectors. One targeted subject in the research was Piyungan, Yogyakarta. The research began with the anxiety of enormous amounts of debris. “The enclosure of Piyungan Integrated Waste Disposal Site (TPST) due to maximum amounts of debris motivated us to seek the solution. By our discipline in technology-oriented, we decided to make a breakthrough in the new application to collect the debris,” said Royan in a statement.

He also continued that the prototype was designed to manage debris distribution systems effectively and efficiently through digital technology. So in the end, it can reduce the debris quantity from the downstream to upstream and ease the garbage collectors to collect the waste from households.

The application was also completed to accommodate practical needs, including the marketplace that focuses on thrift shops and recyclable waste, courier feature to be the main focus to distribute organic and inorganic waste, e-wallet feature to save e-money that was easily top-up, and donate feature to ease the user to donate by selling the waste. Besides varied features, it also aimed to raise community awareness of sustainability by adding education features to educate the waste and environmental issues.

Royan expected the I-Trash could solve the waste problems in Piyungan and Yogyakarta in general. He hoped that the application could become the prideful achievement of UAD to overcome waste management problems from the root of problems. Also, it could create employment for waste collectors and broader communities.

Besides Royan, the team comprised Muhamad Fajri Majid (Informatics Engineering, 2018), An Syafarino Armawahyudi (Information System, 2020), and Rini Suphia Nuryati (Physics, 2020) were under the guidance of Dr. Imam Riadi, S.Pd., M.Kom. [] CHERD / UAD

Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton (UM Buton) held an offline workshop from Thursday (09/06) to Saturday (11/06) in Rajawali Hotel, Baubau. The workshop raised the theme “Strategic Performance Indicators (IKS) and Work Plan and Budget (RKA) Workshop based on IKS.” The workshop became a follow-up plan after the previous month’s meeting. The earlier workshop was an arrangement and assistance of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum, Quality Product, Strategic Plan Document, and Improving Governance of Muhammadiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) Regional Sulawesi 1. It was conducted from 31 March to 21 April 2022 in Universitas Muhammadiyah Bulukumba.

The Rector of UM Buton, Dr Wa Ode Alzarliani SP MM delivered his remarks at the opening ceremony. He expected that it could encourage all MHEIs in Sulawesi to improve. “So it can be beneficial to prepare IKS and RKA based on IKS shortly,” he said, as reported on UM Buton site.

Furthermore, Prof Dr Achmad Nurmandi, MSc from Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD), officially opened the workshop. In his remarks, he reminded all leaders in MHEIs, especially Sulawesi, that they should work harder and seriously in structural and financial management in the organization. “Without effective and efficient management, MHEIs can not improve and be qualified,” he said.

In the workshop, fifteen MHEIs in Sulawesi followed the agenda. All MHEIs delegated their representatives to the Rector, Vice-Rector, Head of Study Program, Head of Financial Division/Bureau, and Head of Academic Division/Bureau. In the final schedule, all participants followed a campus tour that one of the destinations was UM Buton Convention Center. [] CHERD /UMButon

Universitas Muhammadiyah Sukabumi (UMMI) held an Ideological Training (Baitul Arqam) on Monday (13/06) that was planned to be finished on Sunday (19/06). The Baitul Arqam of UMMI was conducted online, particularly for the second-semester students. The Chairman of Islamic and Muhammadiyah Studies (AIK) UMMI, Drs Iqbal Noor MM, mentioned the training would be conducted in two batches for a total of 500 participants of the second-semester students in every faculty.

“I hope all participants can follow Baitul Arqam properly. Because it becomes a series of AIK subjects for all students. If the students are absent from the training, there will be consequences in the following years,” he said. Basically, the training becomes a routine agenda organized by the Institute of Islamic and Muhammadiyah Studies (AIK) at the end of the semester.

On this occasion, the second Baitul Arqam highlighted the acts of worship based on the Quran and Sunnah from Prophet Muhammad. That was a statement from the Rector, Dr Sakti Alamsyah MPd. “I appreciate the agenda because the participants can directly implement the acts of worship in Universitas Muhammadiyah Sukabumi. In the implementation, we should follow the Prophet Muhammad and obey his rules,” Dr Sakti said, as reported on the UMMI site.

The participants also gained varied materials delivered in presentations. Furthermore, the training was continued with the practical test of acts of worship by the mentors to the students. It aimed to improve the holistic comprehension and experience based on Quran and Sunnah.