Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang (UNIMMA) conducted Teacher Training to implement Indonesian Digital Era Teachers (PANDAI) by raising the theme “Training of Computational Thinking for Teachers in Secondary and High School at Magelang Regency”. The training was held on Thursday-Friday (13-14/01) by the Bebras Bureau of UNIMMA collaborated with Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) Bureau. Bebras is an international initiative aiming to promote Computational Thinking (CT) that involves a set of computational techniques and informatics.

The training was supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture and sponsored by Google.org. Yun Arifatul Fathimah, Ph.D., the Dean of Engineering Faculty UNIMMA prompted the students to own a strong CT and Informatics understanding in primary, secondary school, and higher education. In addition, the students should comprehend the advanced topics, including Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI). “The lecturers and teachers can do some research together, especially, in informatics education. We believe that several school collaborations with higher education institutions can accelerate the independent school program implementation. It also becomes a part of Independent Campus implementation,” said Yun.

On this occasion, Drs. H Khoeroni Hadi MEd, the Head of Administration Division for the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) Magelang Regency attended the training to deliver a note. In his remarks, Khoeroni explained that the training concern in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test result of Indonesian students was in low status and has not reached the average as expected. “By applying CT, Indonesia students can be supported in elevating their critical thinking with a fun, effective, and efficient way,” he said.

The agenda was conducted online with two materials. First, Bebras introduction and understanding Computational Thinking by Dr Syarif Hidayat SKom MIT. Second, Computational Thinking training by Aridhanyati Arifin ST MCs. All participants that actively participate in the training would have guides for two semesters by Informatics Engineering coaches in the UNIMMA undergraduate department.

The Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGM) Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) becomes a place to develop competencies and knowledge of Dentistry students in UMS. Besides RSGM’s existence, UMS will shortly have its own general hospital finished to construct this year. That was a statement from the Rector of UMS, Prof Sofyan Anif, MSi, on the Hippocratic Oath of Dentistry XVII Period offline in the Mohammad Djazman Auditorium, UM Surakarta, last Saturday (22/01).

Sixteen UM Surakarta Dentistry students have graduated with cumlaude predicate, while the four have achieved Mumtaz (the best predicate). “It was an outstanding achievement, and for the numerous times I received reports that most Dentistry graduates have cumlaude predicate,” said Prof Sofyan.

He also prompted the graduates to increase their contribution to the community in Dentistry. He also expected that they could be Muhammadiyah cadres in Dentistry with distinguished character. “Be Muhammadiyah cadres and doctors that always represent Islamic characters,” he added. 

Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) becomes the only private university in North Sumatera and one of the 25 favorite universities that participate in the Online Scholarship Competition (OSC) program from Media Group. Twenty prospective students from various provinces in Indonesia will continue to study at UMSU. The announcement and submission of the prospective students have been conducted by Kania Sutisnawinata, CEO Media Group and Chairman of Surya Edukasi Bangsa Foundation, and M Mirdal Akib, CEO Medcom.id on OSC Award 2021 in MetroTV Studio Jakarta, Saturday (22/01). The OSC Award 2021 has been witnessed by the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Jonny D Plate, and CEO MetroTV, Don Bosco Salamun.

The Vice-Rector III of UMSU, Dr Rudianto, M.Si explained that UMSU was very enthusiastic and ready to assist the best prospective student that will study for eight semesters with Educational Fee (BPP and DPP) scholarship. “With A Accreditation, UMSU looks for top students to be developed for qualified graduates each year. And, with the OSC program from Media Group, we are so lucky because we receive competent students to be more eligible in all Indonesia areas,” he said.

In the OSC 2021 selection process, forty thousand applicants registered for the scholarship, but only 500 people passed the scholarship. The selection process includes the achievement records, academic and non-academic achievement, and financial status. Besides the administration process, there were academic potency tests and interviews.

Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) and Council for Cadre Education (MPK) conducted an Ideological Training (Baitul Arqom) and Instructor Training (PI) located in the Institute for Educational Assurance and Quality (LPMP) Building, Yogyakarta, Sunday-Wednesday (23-26/01).

The participants will be trained to achieve a license to conduct Baitul Arqom in their respective Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs). PI batch VI aimed to optimize and empower the lecturers to be instructors in MHEIs. “I expect that the training will increase the number of instructors in MHEIs and can be responsible for managing 560 thousand of our students,” said the Secretary of CHERD, Muhammad Sayuti, Ph.D.

The Chairman of MPK, Ari Anshori, M.Ag., added that Muhammadiyah cadres are requested to have any kind of competencies to develop. Therefore, PI was expected to encourage MHEIs lecturers to unlock the potential and gain the expected results.

Prof Noor Rochman Hadjam, the Deputy Chair of Muhammadiyah Central Board, explained that the Islamic and Muhammadiyah Studies (AIK) become a spirit and distinguished character from the MHEI campus and students. The lecturers are also demanded to build civitas academia’s motivation based on AIK implementation. “I trust you, the lecturers, to provide a distinguished character based on AIK for MHEIs, not only how to dress but also how to behave,” said Prof Noor in front of the 44 participants.

Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) held an Institute for Independent Accreditation in Education Department (LAMDIK) Camp on Saturday-Sunday (22-23/01). Located in Jayakarta Hotel, Yogyakarta, CHERD invited all Quality Assurance Unit, Department Management Unit, and Study Program Elements from various MHEIs. On this occasion, Prof Dr Harun Joko Prayitno, MHum, Prof Dr Joko Nurkamto MPd, Prof Ahmad MPd, and Okti Sri Purwanti SKep Ns MKep SpKebMB attended the agenda.

Muhammad Sayuti MPd MEd PhD opened his remarks by highlighting the importance of LAMDIK Camp as a follow-up agenda of the Launching for LAMDIK last December, 31st. “This is an important circumstance for us. Because of 1.826 study programs in MHEIs, almost 500 are from the education department. It can be the most significant department in MHEIs, and the health department comes next,” said the Secretary of CHERD.

Afterwards, Muhammad Sayuti also highlighted the problem of declining interest in the education department. “The only way to overcome the problem is to elevate the quality of our departments. There is no other way,” said Sayuti. Therefore, LAMDIK Camp was held to prepare MHEIs for adapting the Independent Accreditation program next March.

One crucial point in LAMDIK is an indicator to actualize 60% of the doctoral lecturers at each university from the total lecturers. Meanwhile, there are only 112 professors from 17.000 lecturers in MHEIs, and there are 2.300 lecturers who hold a doctoral degree. “It means that while we follow the LAMDIK Camp two days ahead, we should accelerate the MHEIs improvement. It aimed to increase the quality and accreditation of study programs ahead,” said Sayuti.

Lastly, Sayuti offered Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research and Development (CHERD) assistance for MHEIs if they are needed. On the LAMDIK training, each element from MHEIs was divided into four groups, including the Quality Assurance category, science-technology education program study, social-linguistic education program study, and Religious Studies department.

From the National Congress, Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Barat (UM Sumbar) expected that they would learn from the meeting of the Office for International Affairs Association (ASKUI) MHEIs. “We also hoped that we can accelerate from the second cluster of MHEIs to the first cluster, and can learn from various participants in the congress,” said Dr Riki Saputra, the Rector of UM Sumbar, in the Novotel Hotel, Bukit Tinggi on Thursday (20/01). Prof Edy Suandi Hamid opened the meeting online. On the previous night, the Rector and all participants led by the Chairman of ASKUI, Yordan Gunawan SH MH MBA, were accepted to have dinner with Bukit Tinggi Mayor, Erman Syafar.

On this occasion, the Rector of UM Sumbar showed his gratitude to get trust for conducting the huge event. “I am so grateful that UM Sumbar has an opportunity to be the host for this meeting. I hope we can create a good synergy for a better improvement here. Especially, there is ASKUI board from West Sumatera,” he said.

In the remarks, Prof Edy expected that ASKUI could be a professional and disciplined place to widen members’ international collaboration. Through ASKUI, all MHEIs in small-sized, medium, and large-sized institutions were expected to have strong bargaining power in international cooperation with foreign universities.

“Related to the congress, I hope ASKUI can arrange programs that are realistic and fulfil the member’s need, both in the short term and medium term. However, the most important circumstance is how all programs can be implemented,” said Prof Edy Suandi Hamid.

He added that the Covid-19 pandemic could not stop global collaboration planning. “Various MHEIs can be more aggressive to collaborate internationally. It can be in an online program, including student exchange and public lecture among lecturers,” said the Deputy Chair of CHERD.

Muhammadiyah, by its education institutions, can maintain its existence for over a century and manages to survive longer. It shows an endless passionate spirit that brings Muhammadiyah to exist in the second century and InsyaAllah for a more extended period. That was a statement of Prof Dr Haedar Nashir MSi, the President of Muhammadiyah Central Board, in his opening speech of Leadership Training Batch VI for Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Institution (MHEI) leaders. The strengths to sustain and maintain Muhammadiyah service (AUM), as mentioned by Prof Haedar, comprise:

1. Islamic spirit becomes a foundation of the Muhammadiyah movement, especially in education. Muhammadiyah became a modern movement based on Islamic values as a teaching that should be implemented. It also becomes an internal value of the true Islamic community that significantly impacts the broader community as in rahmatan lil ‘alamin (the mercy to all creation). As MHEI leaders, it requires maintaining Islamic spirit sources of inspiration and optimism and becoming an eternal flame for always doing good deeds to run the mandate. As regulated in the Guidance of Islamic Life Values for the Muhammadiyah community (PHIWM), Islam becomes a way of life and behavioural pattern compass. To keep the Islamic spirit alive, it can be encouraged by activating it through learning. It can be internalized as leaders understand the policy to be the primary source and foundation.

2. Da’wa and renewal mission as values attached in Muhammadiyah. Da’wa can disseminate Islamic values in the private life, families, organization, and broader community as in the global community. Da’wa becomes Muhammadiyah’s DNA that refers to Ali-Imran verses 104 and 110. Education needs to comprehend the da’wa spirit, not to make education limited as an instrument. Second, renewal (tajdid) mission to notice that we run dynamically due to the high demands to create something better. Da’wa and renewal should be provided insight into understanding Islam, especially in education, that should be updated.

3. The sincerity of the leaders becomes a character to manage Muhammadiyah. Therefore, the leaders should represent this sincerity. The sincere indicator can be measured in the critical condition of facing disappointment, unnoticed, disadvantage, but always serves in wholehearted. It can be genuinely sincere. The accumulation of sincerity will bring progress in Muhammadiyah’s service and movement. It would meet stagnancy when they did not implement this sincerity,

4. A modern and good governance system brings Muhammadiyah in modern character and keeps updating in the rapid development of time. Muhammadiyah also has good governance characteristics supported by truthfulness, trustworthiness, inviting/advocacy, and wisdom from all institutions in Muhammadiyah services.

5. Adaptive to changes that can live in a dynamic situation and the fundamental value we present in the current period. KH Ahmad Dahlan, the founding father, designed transformation in Islamic culture so that he, as mujaddid, did not limit to the purification but also on the broader renewal program.

6. Muhammadiyah’s service for the broader community can be seen in the educational institutions that can be accepted nationally, especially in remote areas. It happened because Muhammadiyah is inclusive and brings the spirit of ‘the mercy for all creation’. So that the educational institutions in Muhammadiyah own the competitiveness and instrumental function in disseminating values to distinguish from other communities. In 2002, we created a cultural da’wa movement, while in 2015, we created a community da’wa movement to update da’wa ways for Muhammadiyah. It can make Muhammadiyah Educational Institutions the most inclusive instrument for the da’wa and renewal mission.

Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) reconducted Leadership Training (LT) Batch VI located in the Development of Quality Assurance for Vocational Education building (BBPPMPV) for Arts and Culture, Monday-Saturday (17-22/01). The training followed by 44 leaders of Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) aimed to prepare leaders that can face challenges on campus internally, the Muhammadiyah institution, national, and global. “MHEIs are parts of Muhammadiyah services (AUM) that become organizational da’wa medium. By following LT, AUM leaders will be ready to solve problems and take advantage of opportunities for the development of MHEIs,” said Muh Samsudin, the Leadership Training director and Secretary of CHERD.

The CHERD program that collaborated with Muhammadiyah Council for Cadre Education (MPK) was attended by the President of Muhammadiyah Central Board, Prof. Haedar Nashir, online. The Deputy Chair of Muhammadiyah CHERD, Prof. Chairil Anwar; the Secretary of CHERD, Muhammad Sayuti, Ph.D.; the Council for Cadre Education, Drs. Husni Amriyanto, M.Si, Assistance Team for CHERD, and invited guests also attended the agenda. Prof Chairil Anwar expected MHEI leaders to broaden experiences and collaboration through LT. “One principle from LT is that together we made progress and no one left behind,” he said in his remarks.

Prof Haedar Nashir highlighted the primary key of the movement/system was the leader with his leadership functions. Implementing the higher education system through the MHEI leadership values should refer to the Prophet’s leadership based on Islamic values in real life. Prof Haedar continued that the leadership in MHEIs required a leadership format with transformative characteristics to support dynamic conditions and competitiveness.

In the Islamic context, transformative leadership was an ingrained internalization process and a collective institutional process. Cited Al-Mawardi, to conceptualize the Prophet’s leadership as Prophetic leadership has two main characteristics: upholding religious values and political authority (siyasah). “Religious values should become a commitment for every leader in Islamic institutions, including educational institutions. Religion should be upheld, and it should be implemented in understanding, behaviour, and action. It can be a commitment to the holistic education process to be part of the educational system. Second, siyasah for good management,” he said. The understanding of transformative leadership comprises (1) moral prestige and exemplary, (2) competence to mobilize the potency, (3) competence to arrange transformation, and (4) future projection.

Universitas Pendidikan Muhammadiyah (UNIMUDA) Sorong has achieved the best university among Public and Private Universities in West Papua, Maluku, North Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, and West Nusa Tenggara through UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2021. The UI GreenMetric 2021 assessment was based on three pillars, including environment, economics, and social with Campus Condition and Infrastructure (15%), Energy and Climate Change (21%), Waste Management (18%), Water Consumption (10%), Transportation (18%), and Education and Research (18%) indicator.

UNIMUDA Sorong gained a total score of 5.425 points with the highest score in Energy and Climate Change with 1.100 points. Then, it was followed by the Campus Condition and Infrastructure with 1.050 points. The result placed UNIMUDA Sorong as the 498th rank in the world,  47th position nationally, and the first place in East Indonesia from all Higher Education Institutions that participated in the UI GreenMetric 2021 rank.

The Rector of UNIMUDA Sorong, Dr Rustamadji, M.Si explained that what UNIMUDA achieved reflected on the future prediction. The concern and attention towards the environment could predict the following situation ahead. “UI GreenMetric is an institution to rank universities for their focus on environmental issues. UNIMUDA Sorong also has a positive response to follow the programs assessed by the institution,” he said on Tuesday (12/21).

UI GreenMetric is an innovation from Universitas Indonesia (UI) as a well-known ranking institution based on a high commitment to environmental management in campus life. UI GreenMetric of World Universities, currently, has been followed by various universities in the world.

To support research and community service, UM Parepare (UMPAR) agreed to sign a contract to set up almost 1 Billion funds for internal use. The sign procession has been conducted by UMPAR leaders with Community Service (PKM) initiators. They secured 700 million for University Income and expenditure (APBU) Grant and 196 million for RisetMu Grant.

The Head of Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) UMPAR, Dr Iradhatullah Rahim, S.P., M.P reported eighty-two proposals have been accepted by LPPM which were comprised of 7 different faculties in UMPAR. From 82 proposals, 63 proposals were passed to get the research funding in the 2022 financial year. “There are 82 proposals that have been received from 7 faculties in UMPAR. From 82 proposals, 63 have passed the selection process to achieve research grant,” said Iradhatullah, Friday (14/01).

UMPAR lecturers were required to provide outputs from the funding. The research output and PKM activities include registering Intellectual Property Rights (HKI), publishing articles, books, and videos to be a requirement for a second disbursement. These outputs could increase UMPAR clusterization in higher education institutions. “We are highlighting the lecturers’ responsibility to provide the output from the funding. The output can elevate UMPAR’s clusterization for higher education institution grade,” said the Vice-Rector I UM Parepare, Asram A.T. Djadda, M.H.

The Rector of UM Parepare, Dr Muh Nasir S, M.Pd expected the research grant would be a starting point for research in various grants, especially the Ministry of Education and Culture research grant and the government grant. The Rector also mentioned the two faculties collaborating internationally with the Philliphine’s campus. He hoped that the grant also could enhance the number of professors in UMPAR.