The University of Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) has become the host for the first National Assembly of the Central Association of Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Higher Education Career Centers (APSKAR PTMA).
The National Assembly began with the inauguration of the APSKAR board members by Prof. Mahfud Sholihin, Ph.D., Ak., CA., CPA, the Treasurer of the Muhammadiyah Central Board of Education and Research, on Monday, July 31st, in the VIP room at UMSU, located at Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan.
Prof. Mahfud Sholihin expressed his appreciation to UMSU as the host for their excellent preparation of the inauguration and the first APSKAR PTMA National Assembly. The presence of APSKAR is expected to positively contribute to the advancement of higher education institutions under the auspices of Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah.
According to him, there are three main tasks that APSKAR PTMA needs to carry out in its program:
“First, this association can formulate how to encourage PTMA graduates to be career-ready by enhancing their soft skills. Second, provide support such as resume building and information dissemination. Lastly, and most importantly, monitoring and maintaining communication with alumni who have embarked on their careers,” said Prof. Mahfud.
Based on the Decision Letter of the Muhammadiyah Central Board of Education and Research, there are 31 representatives from PTMAs who will serve as APSKAR board members for the 2023-2026 period. These include UMSU, UMY, UM Tanggerang, UAD, UM Sinjaya, UM Sidoarjo, UM Metro, UM Jember, Itekes Muhammadiyah Pontianak, UM Malang, UM Jakarta, UM Cirebon, UM Bulukumba, Unimuda Sorong, UM Pakajangan Pekalongan, UM Bengkulu, UM Ponorogo, UM Semarang, UM Kudus, UM Maluku Utara, UM Surakarta, Itekes Muhammadiyah Surakarta, UM Kendari, Politeknik Aisyiyah Pontianak, Itekes Maluku Utara, UM Gorontalo, and Unisa Yogyakarta.
UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Agusaani, MAP, who was represented by Vice Rector III Dr. Rudianto, M.Si, shared the history of the formation of APSKAR, the inauguration of its board members, and the holding of the National Assembly at UMSU.
According to Dr. Rudianto, who is also a member of the Muhammadiyah Central Board of Education and Research Development Team, the central career center association began with a meeting in Surabaya. During that event, the Muhammadiyah Central Board of Education and Research identified the need to enhance the quality of PTMA graduates. “In the future, PTMAs that do not have career centers will be encouraged to join APSKAR so that their students can still participate in job fairs, resume building, and interviews. We aim to collaborate with PTMAs that are not yet prepared, to motivate and support them,” said Rudianto.
APSKAR is an association that oversees career centers in all PTMAs in Indonesia. The formation of this association was driven by the need to strengthen career development programs for PTMA alumni. Therefore, APSKAR organized its first National Assembly and inauguration with the theme ‘Excellent PTMA Career Centers for the Development of Professional and Islamic Character Graduates.’ This event took place from July 31st to August 3rd, 2023, at UMSU and Parapat.
According to the report by the Chairman of APSKAR PTMA and also the Chairman of UMSU’s Career Development and Alumni Center (CDAC), Dr. Sukma Lesmana, S.E., M.Si, the first APSKAR PTMA National Assembly aims to establish its articles of association, regulations, and proposed work programs. The event includes a series of basic boot camp activities that cover the fundamentals of developing career centers in PTMAs.
It is explained that there are four key reasons for the establishment of this association. These include the need for a platform to share information and experiences in managing PTMA career centers, the necessity of developing career centers to achieve PTMA’s performance indicators, addressing the gap in high-quality PTMA graduates, and ensuring the sustainability of PTMA career center organizations.
