The Advisor to the Education Attaché of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, Shafieza MD Fadzil, visited Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) to strengthen ties and discuss potential opportunities for cooperation and academic collaboration.
She was welcomed by the UMSU Rector, Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP, represented by Vice Rector III, Dr. Rudianto, M.Si, on Wednesday (15/10) at the UMSU VIP Room on Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan.
Shafieza expressed her appreciation for UMSU’s warm reception and emphasized the importance of enhancing international education partnerships.
“Thank you to UMSU for the hospitality and detailed explanation. We gained a lot of valuable information, and we are ready to facilitate cooperation should Malaysian students wish to study here,” she said.
During the meeting, Shafieza and her team also discussed the development of double degree programs.
“We are currently strengthening cooperation and collaboration to design double degree programs that can elevate the quality of higher education across nations. This is something we should seriously consider,” she added.
Earlier, Vice Rector III Dr. Rudianto highlighted that the relationship between UMSU and Malaysia has always been positive, built on a strong sense of partnership and collaboration.
“For UMSU, Malaysia is both a friend and a brother. We have met with the Embassy in Jakarta several times and participated in various joint activities,” Dr. Rudianto said.
“The visit from the Malaysian Embassy feels like welcoming a close friend. Alhamdulillah, all the programs we have established with Malaysia have run smoothly. The cooperation is active and supported by existing MoUs,” he continued.
UMSU has long been engaged in academic collaborations with various Malaysian universities, including credit transfer programs with INTI International University.
“Every year we carry out credit transfers, and there are also community service programs with high student interest. In North Sumatra, UMSU is one of the most welcoming universities for visiting institutions,” he explained.
UMSU is also committed to creating opportunities for international students through the UMSU Global Scholarship, an annual scholarship program.
“Each year, UMSU provides 20 global scholarships for international students, except for the Faculty of Medicine,” said the Vice Rector.
The visit is expected to further strengthen academic networks, student exchanges, and research collaborations between UMSU and universities across Malaysia.
The meeting was also attended by the Head of OIC (Office of International Affairs) UMSU, Rafieqah Nalar Rizky, S.Sos., M.A, along with her team; the Head of LPPM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Fitra Zambak, ST., M.Sc; the Education Attaché of the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah; and Education Malaysia Promotion Officer in Jakarta, Eti Rahmayati.
