USK Aceh Selected as Permanent Secretariat for IMT-GT UNINET
Thirty-six member universities of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle University Network (IMT-GT UNINET) have officially selected Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) to serve as the organisation’s Permanent Secretariat. This strategic decision was finalised during the 5th IMT-GT UNINET Council Meeting, held at the University of North Sumatra (USU), Medan, on 30-31 July 2026.
The appointment of USK as the permanent secretariat further solidifies the position of the Aceh-based university as a primary driver of higher education collaboration within the sub-regional area. The trust bestowed by all UNINET members reflects appreciation for USK’s commitment and contribution to strengthening international cooperation networks.
The USK delegation at the meeting was led by the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Entrepreneurship, Dr Rina Suryani Oktari, accompanied by the Head of the USK Global Engagement Office (GEO), Prof Syamsidik. Both represented USK during the series of important coordination council agendas.
As the Permanent Secretariat, USK will undertake significant responsibilities, providing continuous administrative and operational support. Furthermore, USK is tasked with facilitating coordination between members and ensuring the effective and impactful implementation of various IMT-GT UNINET strategic programmes.
The endorsement process was led directly by the Chairman of IMT-GT UNINET, Prof Datuk Shahrin bin Sahib, who also serves as the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia. He invited representatives from USK and Prince of Songkla University (PSU), acting as the Thailand National Coordinator, to sign a joint commitment document to strengthen the network’s governance.
“This endorsement is not only a recognition of USK’s role but also a mandate to continue strengthening higher education collaboration within the IMT-GT region. USK is committed to providing more international opportunities for students and the academic community through sustainable programmes,” said Dr Rina Suryani Oktari.
Dr Rina added that, as the permanent secretariat, USK will focus on strengthening synergy between members in executing the UNINET Strategic Action Plan (USAP). This includes the development of collaborative programmes in education, research, innovation, and student capacity building.
“This mandate also opens wider doors for international mobility, leadership, and research for the USK academic community, both at the regional and global levels,” concluded the Vice Rector, who is known for her active participation in various international forums.