PBNU and UI Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Education and Research
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) and Universitas Indonesia (UI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and research at the PBNU Building in Jakarta on Wednesday.
“Today, we are officially signing the MoU between PBNU and Universitas Indonesia, which will cover a broad scope of cooperation, from academics to various community services that have been NU’s domain,” said PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf.
Gus Yahya, as he is affectionately known, stated that this cooperation also encompasses the development of NU’s transformation framework. NU can only progress if its two main wings—its social services system and economic corporations—are perfected.
“These two areas have vast opportunities. NU will greatly benefit from UI’s willingness to support NU’s agenda,” he said.
“May this cooperation between the two parties truly yield great benefits and advantages, not only for both sides but for the community, the nation, and the state, and be blessed by Allah SWT,” he added.
Meanwhile, UI Rector Heri Hermansyah described this cooperation more specifically as a step towards mutual advancement between UI and the universities under PBNU.
“It involves carrying and supporting the universities within PBNU’s environment so they can progress together,” he said.
UI itself, he noted, is supported by universities abroad through inter-university collaborations to raise UI’s quality standards. For instance, two years of study at UI are recognised by the University of Melbourne.
Furthermore, Heri stated that cooperation could involve double degree programmes between NU campuses and UI to enhance high-quality education standards recognised nationally and internationally.
Another possible scheme is a recruitment programme for third-year high school students, selecting 100 outstanding santri and students for study in 10 priority programmes.
“Currently, UI has 38 internationally accredited study programmes. We can start with 10 programmes,” he said.
The initial step following this will be mapping the study programmes and curricula at NU campuses to align them with UI. Once the curriculum mapping is complete, a UNU UI double degree programme will be established.