Student Affairs Forum of Muhammadiyah-’Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (Fosma PTMA) held National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) by the theme “Strengthening Development Model of Student Affairs to be MHEIs that Enlightening, Excellent and has Islamic Character”, in Jayakarta Senggigi Hotel, Lombok Barat, Thursday-Sunday (24-27/02).

Sixty-five Vice-Rectors for Student Affairs in all MHEIs attended the meeting. In his remarks, the Chairman of Fosma PTMA, Dr Gatot Sugiharto, SH MH mentioned the National Coordination Meeting aimed to consolidate and strengthen the development model of student affairs, especially for MHEIs in Indonesia. “Align with our theme, to strengthen the development model of Student Affairs to be MHEIs that enlightening, excellent and has Islamic character. InsyaAllah, on this occasion, we can learn from each other. We can share various development models in students, related to student dynamics, student organization development concept, and many other topics,” he said. All participants in the National Meeting of Fosma PTMA are leaders in student development programs that continually improve student achievements and inspirational places.

Dr H Arsyad Abd Gani MPd, Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram (Ummat), explained that the National Meeting of Fosma PTMA would be a momentum to improve potency in developing students with Islamic character due to the different ways conducted by other private/state universities. “I always say that if the student or alumni from MHEIs have the same character with others, what is the difference between us and other universities with non-Islamic backgrounds. That’s why we should build MHEIs’ character. Therefore, this forum would be very strategic because developing students is not an easy way,” he said.

On the other hand, he also highly appreciated Fosma and Muhammadiyah Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (CHERD) to trust Ummat as Fosma PTMA National Meeting Host in 2022. “Although we are facing Covid-19 pandemic, alhamdulillah, Lombok, especially Mataram is in level 2 so we don’t have to be worried and afraid to be in Lombok,” he said.

Adam Jerusalem, the Vice-Secretary of CHERD, also appreciated Fosma PTMA. “It is outstanding, during the pandemic, we are still enthusiastic to enhance the institutional quality, so I hope it will result in something better, a positive result. Be of good courage to Fosma PTMA and always be successful in elevating students’ potential,” he concluded. [] Ummat / CHERD