Advancing Academic Partnerships and Research Collaboration in Higher Education

Nilai, Negeri Sembilan – 22 January 2026 – MILA University proudly hosted a distinguished delegation from Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia, marking a significant milestone in strengthening international academic collaboration and expanding global partnerships in higher education.

The visit reflects MILA University’s ongoing commitment to internationalisation, research excellence, and global academic engagement.

Purpose of the Visit

The visit followed up on initial discussion held during the QS Higher Education Summit 2025, which took place from 3rd to 7th November 2025 in South Korea. The meeting aimed to further explore and formalise strategic collaboration opportunities between MILA University and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, reinforcing both institutions’ shared commitment to academic excellence and global engagement.

Key Areas of Collaboration

During the meeting, both universities discussed several areas of potential collaboration, including:

• Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
• Joint research initiatives and collaborative publications
• Co-organising a joint conference featuring a keynote speaker, with a focus on networking and Scopus-indexed publications
• Planning an online webinar to promote knowledge sharing and introduce MILA University experts to partner universities
• Establishing a Visiting Professor and Guest Lecturer Programme to support academic exchange
• Student Inbound & Outbound and Study Tour Programme, including study tours

These initiatives are aligned with MILA University’s strategic focus on research impact, academic mobility, and global reputation.

Participants

The meeting brought together senior academic leaders from both institutions.

From MILA University:

• Professor Dr. Graham Kendall, Vice Chancellor
• Dr. Wong Siew Fong, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research and Ranking Department
• Ms. Masrahanim, Assistant Manager, Ranking Department
• From Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia:
• Dr. Mega Hayati, Head of Board of Planning and Global Reputation
• Dr. Shanti Wardaningsih, Head of Planning and Risk Management Division
• Ir. Dr. Berli Paripurna Kamiel, Head of Strategic and Business Intelligence Division
• Ms. Mawaddah Habliy, Admin & Finance Coordinator, Board of Planning & Global Reputation
• Mr. Ali Nurshamsi, Data Scientist, Board of Planning & Global Reputation

Looking Ahead

The visit concluded on a positive and forward-looking note, with both MILA University and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta expressing strong interest in advancing the proposed collaborations. These initiatives are expected to contribute significantly to international research output, academic mobility, and global academic reputation of both institutions.

To enquire or to apply for programmes at MILA University, please visit: https://www.mila.edu.my/ or contact +606-7989 200.