Foreign cooperation and scientific publications were topics that were intensively studied during a visit to the University of Medan Area (UMA) on Thursday, December 7 2023, which took place in the Chancellor’s Room of Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta (UPY). On that occasion, a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) was also signed between UPY and Medan Area University. From Medan Area University, present was the Chancellor of UMA Prof. Dr. Dadan Ramdan, M.Eng., M.T, Sherlly Maulana, ST., M.T (Vice Chancellor for Human Resource Development and Financial Administration), Ahmad Rafiki, BBA, MMgt, Ph.D (Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business), Sari Nuzullina Rahmadhani, S.E, M.Acc, Ak (Deputy Dean for Education, Research and Community Service, Faculty of Economics and Business), Rana Fathinah Ananda, S.E., M.Si (Deputy Dean for Innovation, Student Affairs and Alumni, Faculty of Economics and Business).
Also present at the event were UPY leadership ranks, including Armansyah Prasakti, S.H., Sp. N., M.H (Chair of the Pembina Foundation), Drs Johanes Sabari, M.Si (Chair of the Pembina Foundation), Dr. Ir Paiman, M.P (UPY Chancellor), Dr. Septian Aji Permana, S.Pd., M.Pd (Vice Chancellor III for Student Affairs, Alumni and Cooperation), Dr. Victor Novianto, M.Hum (Head of the Office of Cooperation and International Affairs), Pebri Prihatmoko, S.Pd., M.Eng (Secretary of KUI), Dr. Sigit Handoko (Public Relations and Protocol), Dra. Yati Suhartini, MA (Dean of the Faculty of Business).
On this occasion, the Chancellor of the University of Medan Area (UMA) conveyed several challenges facing UMA. The first challenge is related to scientific publications. In this context, the Chancellor of PGRI Yogyakarta University (UPY), Dr. Ir. Paiman, MP, gave an example of the Acceleration of Reputable International Journals (AJIB) program at UPY. The AJIB program helps lecturers in writing and provides financial stimulation. UPY also applies sanctions in the form of cutting functional position allowances by 50% for one year for lecturers who do not have scientific publications at least in the Q4 category.
The second challenge faced by Medan Area University is the lack of cooperation with foreign countries. In this case the Deputy Chancellor III, Dr. Septian Aji Permana, S.Pd., M.Pd, provided a solution by stating that UPY opened up opportunities for collaboration with UMA through the International Transnational Education Association (ITEA) program, where UPY already had experience of collaborating with ITEA.
The final challenge for UMA is related to student exchange. In this case, the Chancellor of UPY offered a solution by stating UPY’s readiness to carry out exchanges of students, lecturers, visiting professors, and all activities that cover aspects of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. The event closed with the presentation of mementos in the form of souvenirs and joint photos between UMA and UPY officials.