Ma’ahad As-Sultan Ahmad Shah Ad-Dini (Ma’ahad SAS) from Bandar Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia, conducted an academic study visit to Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) on Wednesday (June 3). The delegation was welcomed at the VIP Room of the UMSU Main Campus on Muchtar Basri Street No. 3, Medan.
The delegation was led by Principal Azmi Murad bin Mohamed Yatim, A.Mp., accompanied by Vice Principal for Administration and Curriculum Aminah Murni binti Hasan and teacher as well as Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) representative Muhammad Firol Ikram bin Othman. They were officially received by UMSU Vice Rector I, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin, M.Hum.
In her remarks, Aminah Murni binti Hasan explained that the visit formed part of an academic study tour involving outstanding students from Ma’ahad SAS.
“We brought our high-achieving students on what we call an educational study visit. Our stop at UMSU is an opportunity for them to get to know the university and learn more about higher education in Indonesia,” she said.
She also expressed her admiration for UMSU’s campus facilities and learning environment.
“When we arrived here, we were truly amazed. The university is incredibly modern and beautiful. It made us think that after finishing high school, we would love to send our students to continue their studies here,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, Principal Azmi Murad bin Mohamed Yatim viewed the visit as the beginning of a strategic partnership between the two educational institutions.
He welcomed the prospect of collaborating with UMSU, particularly through student exchange initiatives.
“A student exchange program between our two institutions would provide valuable opportunities for students to broaden their perspectives and prepare for the future,” he said.
He also expressed hope that future collaboration would extend beyond student mobility.
“We hope this partnership will not stop at student exchanges alone. It should grow into broader cooperation that creates more educational opportunities for both Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly in advancing the quality of education in our two countries,” he added.
Earlier, Vice Rector I Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arifin expressed his appreciation for the delegation’s visit and highlighted the long-standing educational ties between Indonesia and Malaysia.
He introduced UMSU as a globally oriented university that has earned international accreditation from FIBAA (Germany), received recognition from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), and achieved international recognition through The World University Rankings, among other accomplishments.
“This visit opens up valuable opportunities for future collaboration, especially as UMSU continues its journey toward becoming a World-Class University. We currently host around 91 international students and send more than 2,000 students abroad each year through various international academic programs,” he said.
The visit concluded with a guided campus tour, during which the delegation explored UMSU’s broadcasting studio, UMSU Radio, and the university library.
The academic visit is expected to serve as a strong foundation for future educational partnerships, strengthening human resource development while fostering closer educational and cultural ties between Indonesia and Malaysia.
