UMS and UTHM Strengthen Academic Cooperation Through Visiting Lecturer Program

The Master of Primary Education program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) held a Visiting Lecturer activity with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) on Monday (25/5/2026). The event, held at the UMS Library Multimedia Room, served as an effort to strengthen academic cooperation between the two universities.

The Visiting Lecturer activity provided an intellectual meeting ground for the academic communities of UMS and UTHM to broaden their perspectives, build scholarly dialogue, and understand developments in primary education from an international viewpoint.

Serving as the resource speaker, Dr. Siti Marpuah presented material on strengthening learning, educational innovation, and the dynamics of primary education in a global context. The material was considered valuable not only for enriching theoretical understanding but also for bringing relevant academic experience and best practices in response to contemporary educational challenges.

Dean of the UMS Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Prof. Dr. Anam Sutopo, M.Hum., emphasized the importance of cross-country collaboration in improving the quality of higher education.

"Universities today cannot develop in isolation. They need to build academic networks that are open, productive, and sustainable," he said on Monday (1/6/2026).

He also noted that the long-initiated cooperation between UMS and UTHM continues to grow through various follow-up activities as a form of implementation agreement, a step considered strategic in strengthening the internationalization of study programs, expanding institutional networks, and fostering an academic culture that is adaptive to the changing times.

The event was moderated by the Head of the UMS Master of Primary Education program, Prof. Dr. Minsih. It was attended by students both in person and online from various regions across Indonesia.

One student from Papua, Melkianus, said he was glad to have participated in the event as it added to his knowledge and experience while also providing a space to share thoughts on research challenges. He expressed hope that similar activities would continue to be held in the future.

The Visiting Lecturer activity is hoped to continue strengthening the academic atmosphere, enhancing the capacity of the academic community, and expanding the international networks that benefit the development of primary education.

Writer: Maysali Sudarwati

Editor: Fika Annisa’ Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid