University of Indonesia and Muhammadiyah Partner to Strengthen Education Quality and Human Resources

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The University of Indonesia (UI) is exploring a partnership with the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah in the fields of education, human resource development, and research and innovation.

UI Rector Prof. Heri Hermansyah said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday that the collaboration forms part of efforts by UI and Muhammadiyah to improve overall national human resource quality.

“UI wishes to contribute by advancing various other universities, including those within the Muhammadiyah network, so that we can move forward together within the framework of improving the quality of human resources in Indonesia,” Heri said.

According to Heri, this collaborative effort with one of the country’s largest civil society organisations is of great importance to UI.

With more than 140 higher education institutions operating under the umbrella of Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Higher Education Institutions (PTMA) across Indonesia, Heri expressed hope that private universities partnering with UI could raise their education quality and standards.

Heri noted that currently only around one million of more than nine million secondary school graduates each year successfully gain admission to public universities. This means a very large number of prospective students are unable to access education at public campuses.

“They can certainly be educated through private higher education institutions, including Muhammadiyah campuses. So that eventually students studying at both public and private institutions can receive the best quality education,” he said.

He also expressed hope that the partnership could help address the problems currently facing the nation.

“So that together we can provide input and formulate various studies for problem-solving on matters of strategic importance to the nation. Especially as we know Muhammadiyah currently has a social network for education and healthcare in Indonesia,” he said.

“This collaboration between UI and Muhammadiyah is expected to cover and provide space for the nation’s children to address the nation’s problems. Because many issues cannot be resolved by the government alone,” he added.

Haedar assessed that a number of government policies have not yet been implemented comprehensively. He therefore expressed hope that the UI-Muhammadiyah partnership could help optimise these various policies.

“For us, it is not sufficient without involving educational institutions and civil society organisations such as Muhammadiyah. Furthermore, we hope that the involvement of educational institutions and civil society organisations through objective research can improve the quality of good governance,” he said.