UMS Asserts Itself as a Sustainable Campus at Global SDGs Forum

Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through active participation in the THE Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026, held from June 22 to 25, 2026. This was followed by participation in the SDGs Center Conference organized by the Indonesia Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) on June 25 to 26, 2026.

The UMS delegation at the international forum consisted of Ir. Agus Ulinuha, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., as UMS Deputy for Global Reputation Development, Rama Rizana, S.T., M.Sc., as UMS SDGs Center Coordinator, Ayu Khoirotul Umaroh, S.K.M., M.K.M., as UMS Global Reputation Coordinator, and Fatimatun Nashiyroh, S.P., as UMS Social Impact Staff.

At the event, UMS joined 27 Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTMA) holding the top accreditation grade at an exhibition booth showcasing various flagship programs and research innovations contributing to SDGs achievement. The PTMA booth served as a strategic platform to introduce best practices and innovations to a global community comprising academics, industry players, policymakers, and development partners from various countries.

Rama Rizana explained that one of the primary objectives of UMS's presence at the international forum was to expand its partnership network with universities and institutions from various countries.

"Our main goal is certainly to expand UMS's network. The SDGs Center sits under the Directorate of Reputation, Partnership, and International Affairs (DRKUI), so the partnership aspect is an important part of our agenda. This is also a regular agenda to participate in events organized by ranking institutions such as Times Higher Education. The difference this time is that the scale is global, not just Asia as it was previously in Hong Kong, so campuses from various continents, including Africa, will be present," Rama said on Wednesday (24/6/2026).

Beyond building cooperation networks, the UMS SDGs Center also targeted gaining new insights from the various discussion sessions held throughout the congress.

"We want to gain new insights from panel seminars, talk shows, and various discussion sessions featuring speakers from diverse institutions. We can also obtain updates on the direction and developments of the THE Impact Rankings, which is usually one of the important discussions at this event," she added.

On the occasion, UMS showcased a number of flagship research products in the health sector, reflecting the university's concrete contributions to sustainable development. Products on display included herbal medicine innovations, health education media, and various community empowerment models designed to sustainably improve public health quality.

Beyond participating in the exhibition, UMS also had the opportunity to share best practices in SDGs implementation. Rama Rizana, as UMS SDGs Center Coordinator, presented flagship PTMA programs related to SDGs implementation at the THE GSDC forum session on June 22, 2026.

The presentation highlighted the contributions of Muhammadiyah higher education institutions in strengthening environmental, social, and governance aspects through a transformative and collaborative approach. The forum also served as an important space for expanding international networks while strengthening cross-sector collaboration in support of the sustainable development agenda.

UMS Deputy for Global Reputation Development, Ir. Agus Ulinuha, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., affirmed that UMS's participation in the international forum is part of the university's global reputation strengthening strategy and a concrete expression of its commitment to supporting sustainable development.

"UMS's participation in the THE Global Sustainable Development Congress and the ISCN SDGs Center Conference is not merely a presence at a global forum, but a concrete manifestation of our commitment to being part of the solution to the world's sustainable development challenges. Through research innovation, international collaboration, and the strengthening of strategic networks, UMS wants to show that Indonesian universities, particularly UMS, are capable of delivering real impact for society and contributing to the SDGs agenda at the global level," he said.

Through participation in these two international forums, he continued, UMS hopes to further strengthen its role as a university that actively drives sustainable transformation through education, research, community service, and global partnership.

"This commitment is in line with UMS's vision to become a world-class university that is excellent, progressive, and delivers a positive impact for global society," he concluded.

Writer: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid