Mayor of Bandaraya IPOH, Malaysia, Rumaizi Bin Baharin MD Daud visited the University of Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) Campus in order to stay in touch, as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen international cooperation.
The visit of the Mayor of Bandaraya Ipoh and his entourage accompanied by the Malaysian Consul General in Medan, Tuan Sahril Nizam Abdul Malik, was welcomed directly by the Rector of UMSU Prof. Dr. Agussani, MAP on Thursday (9/1) at the UMSU Auditorium on Jalan Muchtar Basri No.3 Medan.
The friendly visit was filled with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Rector of UMSU, Prof. Dr. Agussani, M.AP and the Mayor of Ipoh, Rumaizi bin Baharin Md Daud accompanied by UMSU Vice Rector III, Assoc. Prof. Dr Rudianto, M.Si and Head of strategic communication unit from Majelis Bandaraya Ipoh, Muhammad Hafiz Safwan Bin Nor Hazlan.
The MoU covers collaboration between Radio UMSU and Radio Majelis Bandaraya Ipoh as partner radios to strengthen the spread of Malay culture across countries. Then, student exchange and diploma recognition for UMSU medical programmes in Malaysia, joint studies on Malay culture and submission of Malay culture as world heritage through UNESCO and collaboration between UMSU Hospitals and health facilities in IPOH.
UMSU Rector, Prof. Dr Agussani, M.AP, emphasised the importance of collaboration between nations as part of UMSU’s commitment to become an international university.
‘The presence of Datuk Bandar Ipoh and his entourage as well as the Malaysian Consul General in Medan is a great honour for us. This collaboration is a tangible manifestation of the friendship of two allied nations that have common historical and cultural roots. We hope this collaboration can strengthen the educational, cultural and broadcasting relations between Medan and Ipoh,’ said Prof Agussani.
In his speech, Prof Agussani also conveyed information about the development of UMSU, including the construction of an integrated campus that will host the Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Congresses in 2027.
Meanwhile, Mayor of Bandaraya IPOH Malaysia, Rumaizi conveyed the importance of synergy between countries in preserving Malay culture as a world heritage. Ipoh itself has been recognised by UNESCO as a Creative City for music theme in 2023.
‘In the dossier submitted, Malay culture is the main basis for the recognition,’ he said.
Furthermore, Ipoh is said to have put Malay Culture as the main element in the UNESCO Creative City Network ‘dossier’ for the music theme. This is Ipoh’s commitment to ensure Malay Culture is recognised at the global level.
‘I believe, through cooperation with UMSU, we can strengthen this effort and make Malay culture a world-respected identity,’ he said.
He also said that the cooperation forged and the relationships built are not only between institutions, but also strengthen the Malay cultural roots that we have in common. This cooperation opens up great opportunities to introduce Malay culture to the international stage through UNESCO.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consul General in Medan, Mr Sahril Nizam Abdul Malik, also gave his speech. He said that the close relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia, especially North Sumatra, must continue to be strengthened through various strategic collaborations.
‘This relationship is more than a formality. This is a form of true brotherhood that has been established for a long time. We hope, through this cooperation, the relationship between the two nations will be even closer and provide great benefits to the people of both countries,’ said Mr Sahril.
Then, the Chairman of the PB Indonesian Malay Cultural Customary Council of North Sumatra, Prof. Dr. H. OK Saidin, M.Hum on this occasion said that UMSU is one of the universities that not only promotes modern education but also maintains the roots of Malay culture as its identity.
‘UMSU is a great asset that must continue to be developed,’ he said.
The visit was also filled with a broadcast on UMSU FM radio by Mayor Bandaraya IPOH together with the Rector of UMSU represented by WR III, closed with a dance performance ‘Gebyar Nusantara’ by UMSU Dance UKM, which recently won the overall champion in an international competition in Singapore.
This cooperation is expected to be the first step of various strategic collaborations that will provide great benefits for both parties, both in the fields of education, culture, and broadcasting.
Also present were the Head of the Medan City Cooperation Section, Sri Indah Rahayu, A.S.S., S.Sos., M.Si, BPH UMSU Prof. Djohar Arifin Husin, Chairman of DHD 45 North Sumatra Major General Purn. Muhammad Hasyim, 17th Gubu Tengku Ery, East Coast figure, H. Syarifudin Siba, Head of PKBM UMSU Prof. Khairil Anshari, religious leaders and vice rectors.
