- Posted by : OCIA UMB
- on : January 31, 2023
Dr. Andi Azhar, Dean of the Office of International Affairs (KUI) at Muhammadiyah University of Bengkulu (UMB), held a high-level meeting with key leaders of Asia University (AU), Taiwan on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. The agenda focused on benchmarking internationalization strategies and developing a globally oriented academic environment at UMB.
During the visit, Dr. Azhar was received by Prof. Yinghuei Chen, Dean of the International College at Asia University, and Vice President of Asia University. The trilateral discussion explored best practices in creating an international academic climate, managing inbound and outbound student mobility, and expanding cross-border research and community service programs.
“This visit is part of UMB’s ongoing effort to intensify its international engagement and institutional partnerships,” said Dr. Azhar. “Asia University has become one of the fastest-growing international campuses in Asia, and we aim to adopt and adapt their models to strengthen our own programs.”
The discussion covered several concrete areas, including:
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Joint curriculum development and dual-degree programs,
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Faculty exchange and visiting scholar schemes,
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Collaborative research grants in public health, education, and digital innovation,
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Internships and community-based projects for UMB students in Taiwan.
Asia University, ranked among the top 500 universities globally by Times Higher Education and QS, shared insights into its strategies for internationalization, including the integration of English-medium instruction (EMI), multi-national academic consortia, and strong industry linkages.
Prof. Yinghuei Chen emphasized AU’s commitment to academic diplomacy and welcomed deeper engagement with Muhammadiyah universities, noting the potential for Indonesia–Taiwan collaboration in the fields of technology, healthcare, and education.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to explore a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions and to initiate short-term programs for students and faculty in the upcoming academic year.
Dr. Azhar's benchmarking visit marks a significant step in UMB’s roadmap toward becoming a more globally connected institution, as outlined in its internationalization blueprint for 2023–2027.