Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) continues to strengthen its international network through the exploration and development of cooperation with a number of universities in Uzbekistan. The collaboration focuses primarily on medicine, student exchange, and joint curriculum development.
UMS Vice Rector I, Prof. Ihwan Susila, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., explained that the visit was a follow-up to cooperation initiatives that had been in the works for several years.
"This cooperation was actually initiated several years ago and is now being followed up," he said when contacted on Saturday (9/5/2026).
During the visit, the UMS team called on several campuses in Uzbekistan, one of which was Bukhara University of Innovation. The university is in the process of establishing an internationally oriented faculty of medicine with students from various countries.
The UMS delegation at Bukhara University of Innovation was received by Sharipov Shavkat Safaroch, Vice Rector for Strategic Development. The meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation in developing an international Faculty of Medicine. UMS was asked to contribute to joint curriculum development and to send lecturers to support the faculty's establishment.
"They want to establish a faculty of medicine whose students come from all over the world, like a global campus. UMS was then asked to cooperate by sending lecturers and preparing the curriculum together," he explained.
UMS also explored collaboration with Bukhara State Medical Institute Named After Abu Ali Ibn Sino, which operates under the Uzbekistan Ministry of Health. The UMS delegation was received directly by the university rector, Shukrat Jumayevich Teshaev.
The UMS delegation arriving at Bukhara State Medical Institute Named After Abu Ali Ibn Sino. UMS Public Relations Areas of cooperation explored include student exchange for final-year medical faculty students, joint conferences, joint publications, and academic collaboration between professors and doctoral programs.
"They are very open to a wide range of cooperation in the field of medicine. They even offered a summer school program," he added.
UMS also continued its outreach with Tashkent State Medical University, where the delegation was received by Jakhongir Israilov. The meeting discussed opportunities for international cooperation, visiting lectures, academic conferences, and stronger student and lecturer mobility.
In addition to state universities, UMS also explored collaboration with Jarmet University, which focuses on medicine. While the partnership has not yet reached the stage of student exchange, cooperation is being directed toward visiting lectures and international conferences.
On the sidelines of the visit, the UMS delegation also called on UMS students currently participating in a student exchange program at Milad Umidi University. The exchange program has been running for three consecutive semesters, particularly for students from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
Ihwan emphasized that UMS's internationalization programs are open to all students, not only those in international classes.
"We open it up to all students who wish to take part in student exchange. There is usually a test, particularly in English. If they pass, they can join the student exchange," he said.
The UMS visit covered several regions of Uzbekistan, including Tashkent, Sirdaryo, Bukhara, and Samarkand. The UMS team involved in the visit comprised Prof. Ihwan Susila, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., University Secretary Andy Dwi Bayu Bawono, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dr. dr. Flora Ramona Sigit Prakoeswa, M.Kes., Sp.DVE., Dipl. STD-HIV/AIDS., FINSDV., FAADV., and from the Directorate of Reputation, Partnership, and International Affairs, Hepy Adityarini, S.Pd., M.A., Ph.D.
According to Ihwan, universities in Uzbekistan showed high enthusiasm for cooperation with UMS, particularly in the development of medical education and international programs.
"They are very appreciative of this cooperation and very enthusiastic, especially regarding the facilities that UMS may provide," he concluded.
Writer: Fika Annisa Sholihah
Editor: Maysali Sudarwati
Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid
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