National Coordination Meeting of PTMA Fosma at UMS Emphasizes Commitment to Innovation Talent Development

Muhammadiyah and 'Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTMA) continue to demonstrate their commitment to becoming outstanding universities. This was underscored at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Forum for Student Affairs Leaders (Fosma) PTMA, held at the Faculty of Economics and Business of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) on Tuesday (28/7/2026).

The Chair of the 2026 PTMA Fosma Rakornas Committee, Prof. Ihwan Susila, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., explained that this year's Rakornas has three main targets: accelerating PTMA student achievements at the national and international levels, increasing student contributions to societal and national development, and improving the competitiveness of PTMA graduates at the national and international levels.

"Through this theme, we are also committed to continually increasing student contributions to societal and national development," Ihwan said as he presented the committee's report.

The event was attended by the Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Fauzan; UMS Rector Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum.; Chair of the Muhammadiyah Central Board Higher Education and Research Council, Prof. Dr. Bambang Setiaji, M.Si.; and Head of the PTMA Center for Student Achievement, Fatimah Sari Siregar. The event was also attended by representatives from student affairs divisions across more than 160 PTMAs throughout Indonesia. According to the schedule, the Rakornas will take place from 28 to 30 July 2026.

UMS Rector Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum. urged PTMA student affairs divisions to work in synergy for the advancement of PTMA. The PTMA Fosma Rakornas, he said, must be able to address all the challenges of improving the quality of PTMA students and graduates.

Harun cited the example of UMS's student affairs division, which combines three elements: academics, student affairs, and innovation talent development. The Rector said that innovation talent is the key to producing scholars who have real impact and contribute to society.

In the field of research and innovation, Harun said the allocated budget for the lecturer-student affairs field reaches Rp50 billion. "It's directed toward innovation, toward talent, so that lecturer research and student affairs activities must have impact and contribute meaningfully," Harun explained in his remarks.

The Rector hopes the PTMA Fosma Rakornas can realize its three main goals for the advancement of Indonesia. Future meetings, he continued, are expected to produce new innovations related to the development of student affairs, particularly in talent and innovation development.

The Chair of the Muhammadiyah Central Board Higher Education and Research Council, Prof. Dr. Bambang Setiaji, M.Si., emphasized the importance of innovation during this period of concern for higher education. He noted that while many universities are struggling, PTMAs have managed to persevere. He urged PTMAs to continue enduring for the next five to ten years.

One of the strengths of PTMAs that must be preserved is the private-sector ecosystem that continues to innovate to survive. This culture, he said, is passed on to students. "This private-sector culture gives students an atmosphere of innovation, resilience, and efficiency. That only exists in the private sector," he stressed.

At the 2026 PTMA Fosma Rakornas, there was also the launch of a book titled Impactful Campus: A Model for Managing Student Achievement at Muhammadiyah and 'Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions. The book was symbolically launched by the Vice Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Fauzan.

Fauzan said the book is expected to serve as a foundation for developing student affairs at PTMA campuses across Indonesia. "The authors of this book have shown their commitment and integrity to the institution through this guidebook," he said with optimism.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid