Photo CIAC UUM
SINTOK, 23 November 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and the FORUM Pimpinan Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Islam Swasta (FORPIM PTKIS) Jawa Barat, Indonesia, officially strengthened their institutional collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a ceremony held at the EDC UUM on November 8.
The event marked a significant milestone in expanding international collaboration between UUM, particularly the Islamic Business School (IBS) and Islamic higher education institutions in Indonesia.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to enhancing academic cooperation, advancing research development, and enriching community engagement efforts across both institutions. UUM, a leading public university in northern Peninsular Malaysia known for its strong emphasis on management education, has entered into this strategic partnership with FORPIM PTKIS Jawa Barat, a major association representing 174 private Islamic higher learning institutions coordinated under Kopertais Wilayah II Jawa Barat.
Under the MoU, both institutions agreed to pursue several key areas of collaboration aimed at elevating academic quality and broaden global engagement. These include the development of joint academic programmes and curricula, collaborative research and publication activities, student and faculty mobility initiatives, institutional capacity building, and the strengthening of community-focused programmes aimed at promoting social development.
In his address, UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan underscored the importance of forging strong international alliances to enhance the university’s global presence. He noted that the partnership would open new avenues for knowledge exchange and further enrich the academic experience for students.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of FORPIM PTKIS Jawa Barat, Drs. H. Ramlan Rosyad, M.Si., expressed optimism that the collaboration would accelerate institutional development among member colleges and pave the way for long-term, sustainable academic cooperation.
The MoU, builds upon collaborative efforts initiated over the past two years through visiting lecturer programmes and student mobility initiatives. These earlier engagements were facilitated by Dr Zulfahmi and Prof. Azizi Abu Bakar, with strong support from the Islamic Business School (IBS), particularly its Dean, Prof. Dr Selamah Maamor, alongside the dedicated faculty members who contributed to the success of these initiatives.
Commenting on the significance of the partnership, the Dean of the Islamic Business School (IBS), Prof. Dr Selamah Maamor, stated that the formalisation of the MoU reflects the unwavering commitment of both institutions to advancing regional cooperation, strengthening academic excellence, and expanding international engagement for the betterment of Islamic higher education. She highlighted that the collaboration will serve as a catalyst for impactful academic initiatives, deeper scholarly collaborations, and the development of globally competent graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to the advancement of the Muslim community and the wider educational ecosystem. – Dr. Zulfahmi
