11 February 2026 - School of Educational Studies (PPIP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), warmly welcomed a courtesy visit from a delegation of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Indonesia, led by Dr. Muhamad Salis Yuniardi, Vice Rector for Research, Community Services, and Cooperation. The visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two institutions, building upon the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2022.
Recognised as one of the top three private universities in Indonesia, UMM has established a strong reputation for academic excellence and community engagement. The engagement provided a strategic platform to deepen collaboration in key academic areas.
During the discussion, the Dean of PPIP, USM, Associate Professor Dr Rahimi Che Aman, highlighted the potential for programme transfer initiatives, particularly in shared areas of strength such as TESOL, STEM education, and Special Needs Education. Both institutions offer programmes in special needs education, while UMM also operates Islamic school programmes, providing opportunities for comparative curriculum development and academic benchmarking.
Both parties further explored structured student mobility initiatives, including internship placements for USM students at UMM and UMM student at USM, visiting lecturer appointments to enhance academic exchange and international teaching exposure. Discussions also focused on joint research collaborations and grant matching schemes. The organisation of short courses was also proposed as part of the expanding collaboration framework.
Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17): Partnerships for the Goals, the visit reinforces the shared commitment of USM and UMM to advancing global engagement, fostering impactful collaborations, and building long term strategic academic partnerships.
The partnership is expected to generate measurable academic and institutional impact. The collaboration also aims to produce publications in indexed journals, thereby enhancing research visibility and scholarly impact for both institutions. In addition, the implementation of structured student mobility programmes, including internship placements, and the appointment of visiting lecturers between USM and UMM are expected to strengthen academic exchange and cross border engagement. The development of short courses and joint academic modules will further support curriculum innovation and capacity building. These initiatives will reinforce interdisciplinary collaboration in psychology, social sciences, TESOL, STEM, and special needs education, contributing to sustainable and to enhance research productivity, increase international visibility, strengthen regional academic networks, and contribute to sustainable institutional growth.
