Communication Studies Program of FKI UMS Strengthens International Cooperation with the University of Zululand, South Africa

The Communication Program, Faculty of Communication and Informatics (FKI) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), continues to expand its international network through the signing of a cooperation agreement with the University of Zululand, South Africa. The signing of the memorandum of understanding took place at the FKI UMS Meeting Room on Monday (6/7/2026).

The cooperation focuses on developing collaboration in education, faculty and student exchange, joint guest lectures, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), short courses, curriculum benchmarking, collaborative research, academic innovation, and the joint organization of international conferences.

The Dean of FKI UMS, Dr. Ir. Endah Sudarmilah, S.T., M.Eng., said the partnership marks an important step in strengthening the international recognition of the Communication Studies Program while broadening opportunities for global collaboration among the academic community.

"FKI UMS has its own distinctive character, where informatics and communication studies are brought together under one roof (faculty)," she said on Wednesday (8/7/2026).

Endah also explained that FKI UMS has established various forms of international cooperation to date, ranging from student exchanges, visiting lectures, and research collaborations to jointly organized international conferences with a number of universities in South Korea, Malaysia, France, Italy, Taiwan, and Japan. This is now further strengthened through the partnership with the University of Zululand.

She also introduced several of FKI UMS's research strengths, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), software and systems, media and society, and immersive and human-centered technology, which she noted share many points of convergence with academic development at the University of Zululand.

Meanwhile, Vice Dean I of FKI UMS, Endang Wahyu Pamungkas, S.Kom., M.Kom., Ph.D., emphasized that international collaboration should not stop at the signing of cooperation documents but must be translated into concrete programs.

According to him, opportunities for collaboration can be developed through joint guest lectures, COIL programs, short courses, curriculum benchmarking, academic exchange, collaborative research, and innovation development.

"We want to start from small activities that build trust. From there, the collaboration can grow into larger and more sustainable programs," he said.

On the occasion, the representative of the University of Zululand, Prof. Gedala Mulliah Naidoo, better known as Prof. Kevin, introduced the faculty of communication at his campus, which offers education from diploma through undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. He also shared that the University of Zululand has been actively collaborating with various international universities, including several in Indonesia.

According to him, academic ties with UMS had in fact already been built through joint participation in international conferences and other academic activities.

The signing of this cooperation is expected to serve as a foundation for expanding collaboration in research, scientific publication, COIL projects, and student exchanges.

Presentation of a souvenir from UMS Communication Studies to the representative of the University of Zululand, Prof. Gedala Mulliah Naidoo. 

"We can learn from each other and share expertise. Communication becomes a bridge that connects various disciplines, including with the field of informatics, which is one of the strengths of FKI UMS," he explained.

Kevin also invited UMS faculty and students to visit the University of Zululand, while introducing South Africa as a country rich in cultural diversity and offering many research opportunities, particularly in the study of communication, multicultural societies, diaspora, and post-apartheid social transformation.

The Head of the Communication Studies Program at FKI UMS, Sidiq Setyawan, S.I.Kom., M.I.Kom., explained that UMS is currently preparing the implementation of the COIL program, which is planned to launch in January. The program is expected to be an initial step toward student exchanges lasting one semester.

According to him, students will gain not only academic experience through credit transfer but also cross-cultural experience that strengthens their global competence.

"We want students to gain international exposure through joint learning, cultural exchange, academic discussions, and the introduction of curricula between universities," he said.

The discussion also covered research funding systems in Indonesia and South Africa, mechanisms for scientific publication, opportunities for joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the development of international research grant proposals.

Through this cooperation, the FKI UMS Communication Studies Program hopes to expand its international academic network, improve the quality of research and reputable publications, and open more opportunities for faculty and students to gain international academic experience.

Writer: Maysali Sudarwati

Editor: Fika Annisa Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid