Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) supports the establishment of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sampit (UM Sampit) in Kotawaringin Timur, Kalimantan Tengah. It was marked by the visitation of Dr Muh Samsudin as the Vice Secretary of Muhammadiyah CHERD and Prof Harun Joko Prayitno as the Member of CHERD on Saturday (08/01). The gathering and consolidation of this establishment were located in the Midwifery Academy Muhammadiyah Kotawaringin Timur (AKBID Muh Kotim). The Chairman of Muhammadiyah Province Board (PWM) Kalimantan Tengah, Prof Ahmad Syar’i and his boards; the Director of AKBID Muhammadiyah Kotawaringin Timur, Hardianti Aprina; the Head of the Advanced School of Teacher Training and Education (STKIP) Muhammadiyah Sampit, Mahmu’ddin; and many other Muhammadiyah boards.
This first establishment in Sampit was a merger between AKBID Muh Kotim and STKIP Muh Sampit. Generally, the preparation of formal legal requirements, including adequate facilities and infrastructure, and human resources. In short, both higher education institutions would improve and add new study programs. “Currently, the government orientation is the merger. It is an aspiration from the grass root, and there is a regulation at the top level. Then, it meets on one point to establish UM Sampit or UM Kotawaringin Timur,” Prof Harun said for the details.
The merger of both institutions becomes an attempt to develop Muhammadiyah services in education to disseminate greater advantages. “There is enough evidence that the merger can elevate the institution’s development. Hopefully, the merger between AKBID and STKIP will develop the quality of higher education institutions,” said Dr. Samsudin. To optimize the preparation, the Preparation Team for UM Sampit Establishment. The team will also coordinate will all related parties for this establishment. Prof Ahmad Syar’i explained that UM Sampit establishment is for the Muhammadiyah members and the community nearby. “We are optimistic and keep working hard to make the goal happen,” he said.
