A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to improve the higher education institution’s quality by collaborating the learning activities, research, and International Conference implementation. That was a statement from Dr. H. Muhammad Jafar, S.Pd, MPd, the Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Bone (Unim Bone), when he presented on MoU International Institution and University. It was conducted by the Indonesian Education Share To Care Volunteer. On this occasion, the Rector of Unim Bone became a speaker represented from eight Higher Education Institutions from abroad and fifteen Institutions from Indonesia.

Muhammad Jafar, a Doctoral graduate in English, presented how to develop higher education institutions through community service programs. “Therefore, through the signing of MoU, the higher education institutions both in-home and abroad, will collaborate in research to produce an outstanding article to publish in International Journal,” he admitted as reported on Radar Bone, Sunday (21/03).

Eight institutions from abroad attended on this occasion, including Christ College Aunonomous Irinjalakuda Kerala India, National Tectile University Pakistan, Leads Philipines, Institute Of Global Profesional Banglades, Medicap University India, Cafe Forum India, Al Hamd University Pakistan dan Future Leadership International Grup Egypt. Meanwhile, the Indonesian institutions including Universitas PGRI Ronggolawe Tuban, Unismuh Sidenreng, IAIN Madura, Universitas Al Asyariah Mandar Sulbar, IAIN Lhokseumawe, IAIN Surakarta, Univesitas Siliwangi, Universitas Fajar, and many others.

STIKes Muh Klaten assisted full-face respirator masks to the funeral and burial service management team (TKC) from Covid-19 Task Force Klaten regency last January.

The assistance distributed was in ten pieces of full-face respirator masks with full coverage for the face, commonly used by the operational staff containing hazardous chemicals. It was expected that the masks could be protective equipment for the team from Covid-19 transmission. This assistance was directly handed over by the public relations of STIKes Muh Klaten to Sasongko Agung W as the Vice-Commander of SAR Klaten regency in Search and Rescue (SAR) Headquarter.

Besides providing full-face respirator masks, the staff from STIKes Muhammadiyah Klaten that also affiliated with the funeral and burial service management team (TKC) from Covid-19 Task Force Klaten regency. It was a STIKes Muh Klaten program for community service in Klaten, especially for the acceleration program in the Covid-19 pandemic treatment.

The Public Relations of STIKes Muhammadiyah Klaten appreciated all funeral and burial service management – known as the Kamboja team for the hard work of volunteers in Klaten regency that keep fighting on the Covid-19 pandemic treatment. “I hope all funeral and burial service management grant the healthiness, the pandemic is coming to an end and all hard work is written as a grand reward,” he said.

Muhammadiyah Open University (MOU) officially underwent a virtual field evaluation by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia at MOU Campus, HOS Cokroaminoto Street, Wirobrajan, Thursday (18/03). MOU, initiated by Muhammadiyah Central Board, was launched at Milad Muhammadiyah 2019 by the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Anwar Makarim.

Also present at MOU Campus, Prof. Lincolin Arsyad, Chairman of Muhammadiyah Diktilitbang Council, Prof. Dr. Chairil Anwar, Chairman of MOU Daily Advisory Board (BPH), Dr. Bambang Riyanta, Director of MOU, and Muhammad Sayuti PhD, Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Diktilitbang Council, then attended virtually Distance Learning Program Unit (UPBJJ) from UM Kendari and STKIP Muhammadiyah Kuningan.

The field evaluation was conducted online by Prof. Dr. Paulina Pannen, Gatot Fatwanto Ph.D., Dr. Hari Wibawanto, and M. Rizky Aldilla. Dr. Hari Wibawanto explained that it was necessary to prepare all physical evidence during the visit, especially the Learning Management System (LMS). “In Muhammadiyah Open University, establishing a Learning Management System (LMS) is vital,” he concluded. Meanwhile, Dr. Bambang Riyanta agreed to complete the documents. “InshaAllah, we have prepared everything needed, and 165 PTMAs, InshaAllah, could become resources to support the development of the MOU,” he explained. Prof. Chairil Anwar, as Chairman of BPH, hopes that MOU can expand Muhammadiyah’s da’wah in the Higher Education field, especially for the 3T (outermost, frontier, underdeveloped) areas. “Hopefully, MOU can be issued soon, especially the issuance of permits from the Ministry of Education and Culture,” he explained.

The detailed information regarding the MOU can be accessed through the official MOU website, namely mou.ac.id. The study programs available include Accounting, Law, Management, Health Administration, Informatics, and Information Systems.

The Directorate of Vocational Education and Training of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) collaborated with Shopee to conduct the “Youth Empowerment” digital business program. On Wednesday (10/03), the collaboration led online and invited several resource persons from Shopee to train the students.

In the beginning, Dr Fauzan MPd, as the Rector of UMM, admitted that the Higher Education institution’s responsibility was not limited to transfer knowledge activity but also foster students to face the challenge after graduation. “One of the purposes is to provide entrepreneurship competence, especially in digital marketing,” he said.

Fauzan also explained that UMM had been devoted to creating a solid entrepreneurship environment. If it was already established, there would be dynamics that are able to overcome the challenges. “The skills can be a long life lesson. It was not limited to marketing techniques and getting the income, but it can create entrepreneur owners,” said Fauzan.

On the same occasion, Monika Viany as the Shopee representative explained that several programs had been prepared, especially in the pandemic period. The Youth Empowerment (Muda Berdaya) program was started in late 2019 when Shopee targeted high school students. “Seeing the great potency from the youth, this year, we ran the program for the college students,” said Monika.

She also expected that the agenda would encourage student motivation to be an entrepreneur to start a business at a very young age and succeed. The following step was to support Indonesia’s economic condition. It was related to the fact that Indonesia has the highest number of e-commerce users. Cited from Global Web Index, in 2019, almost 90 % of internet users between 16-64 years old have already purchased online.

After the Teacher Profession Program (PPG) Department of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) has taken the oath for devoting duties, they have arranged a supplementary program for their improvement. Arina Restian SPd MPd, as the person in charge, explained the purpose of the program was to complete graduates’ competence, especially in writing. She also mentioned that obviously, teachers should have good writing competence to produce scientific work. “Not much of educators have this competence, whereas writing should be an important duty they have,” she highlighted.

Arina admitted that the program was started with the idea to persuade and encourage all elements of professional teachers to write and become role models for their students. Twenty-two books from PPG UMM have various themes that have been determined. Besides developing learning media, to strengthen the character and character education were involved in the composition. However, she admitted that writing commitment still became an obstacle in compiling the books.

“Undoubtedly, all agenda meets obstacles, and this book preparation also met once. However, when we have a strong commitment, all obstacles can be manage easier,” said Arina. As reported on the UMM site, one of the writers, Nanang Fauzi, explained that the program has a positive value, especially for the graduates. However, he also found several obstacles in writing, particularly in the reference problem. “For a moment, my writing needs an important reference, but it was hard to find. Besides my writing should be finished, I should deal with the laziness that usually grow,” he said.

Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta (UNISA Yogyakarta) held the 3rd graduation procession online through Zoom Meeting themed “Safe Graduation from Home”, Saturday (13/03). The procession was followed by 216 graduates comprised of the Faculty of Health Science (FIKes), the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), and the Faculty of Economics, Social Science, and Humanity (FEISHum) Unisa Yogyakarta.

Warsiti, SKp MKep SpMat as the Rector of Unisa Yogyakarta prompted the graduates to create achievements with the actual world. The alumni also were demanded to master knowledge, not only the intellectual intelligence and skills but also emotional and spiritual intelligence due to the crucial aspects that should be acquired. “As Unisa Yogyakarta graduates, you have various professional competence in each field which can contribute to the da’wa mandate to disseminate the good deeds (amar ma’ruf) and prevent the bad (nahi munkar) as the Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah cadres to be a role model and motivating force to create a solution for the nations and ummat (wider community),” said Warsiti.

Dra. Hj. Siti Noordjanah Djohantini, MM MSi also explained that Unisa is one of‘ Aisyiyah universities that have been trusted by the parents as a learning place for their children. “It is undoubtedly thoughtful and assured that Unisa as the institutions to be responsible under the most significant organization in its second centuries,” said the Daily Advisory Board.

Education is a crucial priority to develop Indonesia’s civilization and the wider community. The great education program might be an investment capital in the future. A qualified education can create professional graduates to face the working world. Therefore, higher education is seen as an important thing that should be considered by the students, one of which is the study programs.

Responding to this opportunity, Advanced School of Teacher Training and Education Muhammadiyah Muara Bungo (STKIP MB) officially opened the new study program for the academic year 2021/2022, namely Vocational Education of Culinary Arts (PVSK). The establishment of the vocational program caused the additional number of five total Preeminent Departments in Jambi Province. This new program of STKIP MB becomes the first establishment in Sumatera, besides UNP and Unimet which is the prospective study program for Millenials.

The new study program has been followed up in promotion to various supporting elements and New Student Enrollment in early January. Afterwards, as a commitment of STKIP MB leaders and Muhammadiyah Province Board of Jambi support, the Vice II STKIP MB of Human Resources and Finance, Harkam Tujantri, MKom, and the Daily Advisory Board member and the Secretary of Muhammadiyah Province Board, Agus Setyono, and the Head of Librarian of STKIP MB, Zulmi, visited and coordinated to the Education Office in Jambi Province.

On the visitation to the Education Office of Jambi, STKIP Muhammadiyah Muara Bungo leaders have been directly accepted and welcomed by the Head of Education Office of Jambi, Bukri, the Division Head of Vocational School, Rafles, and the Division Head of Curriculum, Harmonis. The visitation aimed to propose collaborative works and Memorandum of Understanding signing in education with Jambi Government about research, teaching process, and community services which supports the academic program implementation. STKIP MB leaders expected the study program to elevate the contribution to the communities. Moreover, the Vocational Education of Culinary Arts (PVSK)  program was closely related to communities.

As active participation to the community, the Communication Science Department of Universitas Muhammadiyah Kotabumi (UMKO) conducted the social service in Al Mursin Boarding School North Lampung, Wednesday (10/03). The program also helped to ensure the success of the New Student Enrolment (PMB) agenda in the academic year 2020/2021.

Rosy Febriani Daud, MIKom, the Chief of Communication Science Department, explained the social service also became the annual work program from Communication Science Student Association (IMAKOM). “The participation agenda of PMB has a purpose to obtain the prospective UMKO students as much as possible and as informational room for the community in North Lampung regency and surrounding. UMKO which has B accreditation status has 4 faculties divided into eleven study programs, one of which is Communication Science,” said Rosy.

The Chief of Al Mursin Boarding School, Amiruddin Khoir, and the Chief of Children’s Social Welfare Agency (LKSA) as the owner of the Boarding School welcomed enthusiastically and with a feeling of kinship to the visit of Communication Science Department in UMKO.

The Faculty of Psychology in Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UMG) reconducted the judicial procession on the 8th floor of Sang Pencerah Hall on Wednesday (10/03). Seventeen prospective graduates followed the procession attended offline by the Rector of UMG, the Dean of Psychology Faculty, the Head and lecturers of the Psychology Department.

In his remarks, the Rector of UMG, Prof Dr Ir Setyo Budi MS expected that the judicial participants to be successful and benefit to wider community, nations, and religion. He also prompted the prospective graduates of the Psychology Faculty to maintain the good name of their alma mater, although they had already become alumni and graduated from Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik.

“There are various ways, one of which is to familiarize and actualize the Islamic values to be persons with noble character, including to disseminate Islamic and Muhammadiyah values that have been learned in the campus. The minimum effort is to implement the Muhammadiyah characters daily. It is very essential, especially for you can develop the Muhammadiyah ideology. It will be much better,” said Prof Setyo Budi.

Islamic Psychology Department of the Faculty of Islamic Studies Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo (UMPO) conducted an International Seminar virtually in the second series of ISOIR Series 2 entitled “Islamic Psychology Opportunities in The Development of Modern Science”, Saturday (27/02). The seminar discussed the root of psychology from Islamic literature that collaborates with Standford Muslim Mental Health Lab – Standford University School of Medicine, the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, and Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang.

Approximately 450 participants who followed the international seminar came from various countries, comprised 26 countries and 5 continents, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Iran, Australia, United Kingdom, Sweden, France, United States of America, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Peru, Brazil, Japan, Nigeria, Somalia, Albania, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kuwait. Besides from various countries, the participants also came from 185 different institutions worldwide. It included education institutions (Universities and Schools), governmental institutions (the Ministry from several nations), health care institutions (Hospitals, Mental Health Center, etc.), Boarding Schools, Orphanages, and Profession associations.

The Faculty of Islamic Studies (FAI) UM Ponorogo, Ayok Ariyanto, MPdI explained the ISOIR 2 program aimed to elevate the educational tradition in Islamic Psychology. Therefore, it was expected that the Islamic Psychology department could develop and compete globally. Moreover, the agenda was expected to be a medium to demonstrate the bigger picture to academicians and the public about Islamic Psychology and modern science. The public enthusiasm towards this international seminar was illustrated by the different backgrounds of the participants, from the scientists, academicians, religious figures, students, and the general community. “The ISOIR 2 was a prideful program due to the participation in the significant number all over the world and the first international program of FAI UMPO,” he said.