The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) hosted the 2nd International Conference on Education, English Teaching and Linguistics (ICO-ETLIN) and the 2nd International Conference on English Education (ICE-FTIK), themed “Human-Centered Innovation for Education and Society in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” The hybrid conference was held on Thursday and Friday (July 23–24) at the UMSU Auditorium on Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan.
The event brought together scholars from five countries, including Russia, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, and Malaysia. A total of 241 presenters from various national and international universities participated both in person and online.
In addition to the conference, UMSU signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) with several higher education institutions, including Christ College India, Abra State Institute of Science and Technology in the Philippines, Universiti Islam Selangor in Malaysia, University of Malakand in Pakistan, V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University in Russia, UIN Sultanah Nahrasyiyah Lhokseumawe, Universitas Al Washliyah Medan, and Universitas Al Muslim.
UMSU Rector Prof. Dr. Akrim, M.Pd., said the conference was highly relevant to the global transition from the digital era to the age of artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized that universities should not merely adapt to change but should take a leading role in driving change through innovation and collaboration.
“This conference gives us an opportunity to learn together and listen to the findings of researchers, practitioners, and academics, while also providing opportunities to strengthen our ongoing collaboration,” he said.
The Rector noted that the future of higher education would be significantly influenced by the extent to which universities are able to develop impactful innovations. He expressed his appreciation to all partners for their collaboration and support in making the event possible.
“AI has transformed the way we learn, work, communicate, and collaborate. We must ensure that we are actively involved in this transformation. Universities must redesign their curricula to remain adaptive to developments in information technology,” he said.
Prof. Akrim also expressed his hope that the collaboration initiated through the conference would be maintained, strengthened, and continued in the future.
Meanwhile, Rector of UIN Sultanah Nahrasyiyah Lhokseumawe Prof. Dr. Danial, M.Ag., said the international academic forum served as an important platform for strengthening scholarly connections and building collaboration among higher education institutions.
“This conference should not end with this event. It should continue through collaborative and synergistic activities in other fields in the future. To thrive in the era of digitalization, we need two things: competence and connections for collaboration,” he said.
President of IES2CV, Dr. Abdul Ghofur, M.Pd., said the international cooperation agreements signed during the conference marked an important milestone in creating opportunities for academic exchange and improving the quality of education and research across countries.
“Collaboration is not a choice but a necessity. By signing these MoUs and working together across borders, we are building bridges that connect cultures, share knowledge, and improve the quality of teaching and research,” he said.
Earlier, Dean of FKIP UMSU Dra. Syamsuyurnita, M.Pd., said the conference was the result of a strategic partnership between the English Education Study Program at FKIP UMSU and the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FTIK) at UIN Sultanah Nahrasyiyah Lhokseumawe.
She explained that the conference served as a global academic forum for researchers, educators, and practitioners to discuss innovations, challenges, and the future direction of education, linguistics, and teaching at the international level.
All papers presented at the conference will be published in international journals and nationally accredited SINTA 2 and SINTA 3 journals as part of the event’s academic outputs.
The hybrid event was also attended by Dr. K.J. Varghese (Christ College, India); Prof. Dr. Alexis Enriquez (Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Philippines); Prof. Dr. Thariq Khan (University of Malakand, Pakistan); Dr. Hazlin Falina (Universiti Selangor, Malaysia); Prof. Dr. Khalsiah (Universitas Malikussaleh); and Prof. Dr. Akhtem A. Dzhelilov (V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Russia).
