UUM strengthens regional academic ties through MoU signing with four Indonesian universities
Photos ICOCI X Team
MEDAN, 3 July 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) took a significant step in enhancing regional academic collaboration by signing a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four prominent Indonesian universities. The signing ceremony was held at the Santika Dyandra Hotel & Convention in conjunction with the 10th International Conference on Computing and Informatics (ICOCI 2025).
The newly inked partnerships were established with Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara (UINSU), Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara (UISU), Universitas Sangga Buana and Universitas Syiah Kuala.
The ceremony was witnessed by Dr. H. Impun Siregar, MA, Head of the North Sumatra Regional Ministry of Religion Office.
In his address, UUM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Foad Sakdan reflected on the cultural and educational ties that bind Malaysia and Indonesia. “Today’s MoU signing is not merely a formality, it represents a heartfelt reaffirmation of the Nusantara spirit— a bond forged through shared language, heritage, and academic ambition,” he said. “As we navigate an increasingly interconnected global landscape, the true strength of a university lies not just in academic excellence, but in its ability to transcend borders and build enduring bridges of knowledge.”
He noted that the MoUs lay the groundwork for a wide range of high-impact initiatives, including student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects, interdisciplinary publications, academic innovation, and regional community development.
“These partnerships are set to produce graduates who are global minded yet deeply rooted in local wisdom, enhance research visibility, and elevate the collective academic voice of ASEAN on the global stage,” he said. The UUM Vice-Chancellor described the endeavour as a long-term mission to foster “jambatan ilmu dan jambatan serumpun” (bridge of knowledge and kinship), advancing not just institutional goals, but also regional unity.
UUM’s longstanding relationship with Indonesian academia continues to thrive, with over 60 active partnerships across the archipelago. These collaborations encompass a wide range of initiatives, including student exchanges, staff mobility, joint research, co-publication, academic seminars, and community-based projects, thereby reflecting UUM’s enduring vision of regional and academic excellence.
The event, co-organised by UUM’s School of Computing and the Centre for International Affairs and Cooperation (CIAC), was a showcase of UUM’s strategic direction as a catalyst for global engagement and higher education diplomacy.
Partner universities echoed UUM’s optimism, expressing eagerness to strengthen collaboration beyond mobility programmes into transformative areas such as curriculum development, multidisciplinary research, and the co-organisation of international conferences. These agreements also align with the shared aspirations of both nations to advance higher education cooperation within the ASEAN framework.
With shared values, mutual respect, and a united pursuit of academic aspirations, the MoU signing ceremony not only reaffirmed UUM’s role as a regional thought leader – it also opened new horizon for impactful, long-lasting collaborations that promise to shape the future of education in Southeast Asia. – Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norliza Katuk
