BANDUNG, UNIKOM – Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) officially established an international partnership with University of the Philippines Mindanao through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) held at the Office of the Konsulat Jenderal Republik Indonesia in Davao City, Philippines, and broadcast in a hybrid format via Zoom. The MoU marked an important milestone in strengthening academic relations between Indonesia and the Philippines, particularly in the fields of higher education, research, and technology-based innovation.
The signing ceremony was represented by the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City, Agus Trenggono, who attended alongside officials of the Indonesian Consulate as a form of diplomatic support for enhancing higher education cooperation between the two countries. Also present online were members of UNIKOM’s leadership, including Adam Mukharil Bachtiar, S.Kom., M.T., Ph.D., as the Deputy Vice Rector IV, Dr. Senny Luckyardi, S.P., M.M. as the Director of the International Program, Irfan Dwiguna Sumitra, S.Kom., M.Kom., as the Director of PTDSI, Ph.D., Dr. Henike Primawanti, M.I.Pol, as the Head of the Cooperation Division. From the University of the Philippines Mindanao, the event was attended by Chancellor Prof. Lyre Anni E. Murao and other university officials.
In his opening remarks, Adam Mukharil Bachtiar, Ph.D., representing the Vice Rector IV for Digital Technology & ICT, International Program & Center of Excellence, Prof. Zainal Arifin Hasibuan, Ph.D., stated that Indonesia and the Philippines share historical, cultural, and regional ties as fellow Southeast Asian nations. This closeness, he noted, provides a strong foundation for strengthening academic collaboration that is responsive to global challenges and regional needs.
“This MoU is not merely a formal document, but a strategic bridge to expand faculty and student mobility, develop joint research, and promote various interdisciplinary academic initiatives. This collaboration is expected to integrate regional potential with global knowledge networks to create sustainable impact,” he said.
He further added that UNIKOM, as a higher education institution focusing on science, technology, innovation, and applied research, views this partnership as a concrete step toward strengthening institutional digital transformation and internationalization.
In line with this, the Director of the International Program, Dr. Senny Luckyardi, expressed her hope that the MoU signing would not remain an administrative formality but would become a significant milestone for both institutions. She emphasized that the momentum opens opportunities for lecturers and education personnel to build closer, more productive, and sustainable collaboration. She also conveyed optimism that the partnership would be actively implemented through concrete programs providing tangible benefits for both parties.
Meanwhile, the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City, Agus Trenggono, expressed his appreciation for the establishment of cooperation between UNIKOM and the University of the Philippines Mindanao. He underlined that higher education collaboration plays a strategic role in strengthening Indonesia–Philippines bilateral relations, particularly in science, technology, and innovation. According to him, inter-university cooperation reinforces people-to-people contact, which forms the foundation of long-term relations between the two countries. The Indonesian Consulate in Davao City also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the implementation of the MoU’s follow-up programs in a concrete, sustainable, and mutually beneficial manner.
Based on the agreed framework, the scope of cooperation includes student exchange programs that provide academic and cultural exchange opportunities to enrich global perspectives; faculty exchange programs to encourage collaborative teaching, curriculum development, and the sharing of expertise in innovative methodologies; and collaborative research aimed at advancing joint studies in various strategic fields contributing to scientific progress and social impact. In addition, other academic initiatives will be undertaken, including joint publications, international seminars, digital innovation, and institutional capacity-building programs.
In this context, the University of the Philippines Mindanao, which promotes the Education 5.0 for Regenerative Futures framework, emphasizes the importance of education oriented toward sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development. This shared vision aligns with UNIKOM’s commitment to integrating technology and innovation to address global societal challenges.
Through the signing of this MoU, both institutions expect to initiate a dynamic and productive partnership that will not only strengthen institutional capacity but also make a tangible contribution to the development of the Southeast Asian region. With a spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility, UNIKOM and the University of the Philippines Mindanao are optimistic that this synergy will produce flagship programs with broad impact for students, academics, and the wider communities of both countries. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)
Translated by: Gengria/DMUnikom