Islamic Studies (PAI) of Islamic Faculty (FAI) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) firstly conducted student exchange with Academy of Islamic Studies of University Malaya (UM), Malaysia. Ten students of International program of PAI will learn at the UM from 18 September to 3 October 2016.

The ten students are Aron Gemilang (2013), Ramadhani Gani Bilhaq (2014), Muhammad Azis Fajri (2014), Aisyah Mega Permata (2013), Farah Saufika Permana (2013), Lisana Aliyya Humaida (2014), Addinia Rizki Sabili (2013), Armina Dewi Sagita (2014), Sri Rizki Handayani (2013), and Nikmatus Syadiah (2013). They will be supervised by three lecturers, namely Nurwanto, M.A., M.Ed. (Vice Dean of Student and Cooperation Office), Dr. Abdul Madjid (Department Head of Islamic Studies), and Naufal Ahmad Rijalul Alam, M.A. (Department Secretary of Islamic Studies).

“The student exchange may learn university life in Malaysia. I am proud of PAI for being the first department in commencing an international program at Islamic Faculty. I hope that this exchange program can be extended to Middle East. This faculty, in fact, possesses a basis of the Arabic language,” Prof. Bambang Cipto, M.A., rector of UMY, declared in pre-departure of the exchange students on Saturday (17/9) at rector’s hall, A.R. Fachruddin A.

Besides, Vice Dean of Student and Cooperation office, Nurwanto, M.A., informed that the students have met qualifications of the student exchange. The requirements were dealing with GPA, student activities, student organizations, and languages. “The students, at least, should have good English proficiency,” Nurwanto stated.

UM has made schedule for the exchange students to learn culture and to perform several programs. “They will stay in a dormitory so that they will be more familiar to the campus. They will also have a discussion session with UM lecturers, attend class presentation in the end of meeting, and write a paper,” he mentioned.

UM is a model to other universities. “UM is in the rank of 133 of QS World University ranking. This university has great research culture and publication. It is expected that students can learn the good academic culture since they will various aspects such as interacting with UM or international students. May the similar program can be conducted in Brunei Darussalam. Talking about science tradition, Malaysia can be a role model,” he ended.