Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities Visit NTNU College of Education to Expand International Educational Collaboration
On February 14, 2025, Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Ed., from Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities in Indonesia, led a delegation of 28 professors to our School of Education. The visit included an in-depth academic exchange with faculty members in the first conference room on the third floor of the Education Building. Discussions focused on future academic cooperation opportunities, laying the foundation for long-term collaboration between the institutions.
Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities are part of Muhammadiyah, one of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia, with a total of 173 universities in Indonesia and Malaysia. These universities play a significant role in the field of education, providing high-quality education and diverse academic opportunities for students.
During the meeting, the Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities delegation had insightful dialogues with several scholars from NTNU. Participants included Prof. Chien-Fu Lin, Chair of the Department of Education; Prof. Shu-Hua Tang from the Graduate Institute of Curriculum and Instruction; Asst. Prof. Hsin-Heng Chen, Division Head of the International Teacher Education Division of the School of Teacher Education; Prof. Shu-Chen Wu from the School of Teacher Education; Prof. Chun-Yen Chang, Chair Professor and Principal Investigator of the Institute for Research Excellence in Learning Sciences; and Asst. Prof. Tsui-Chun Hu from the Transdisciplinary Program of College of Education & USR. They shared Taiwan’s extensive experience in teacher training, curriculum design, and international educational collaboration.
Strengthening Educational Cooperation and Enhancing Academic Exchange
This visit marks the first official meeting between Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities and the NTNU College of Education, symbolizing a new opportunity for higher education cooperation between Taiwan and Indonesia. During the discussions, both parties explored topics such as curriculum development and teacher training mechanisms. They also expressed the desire to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the future to further strengthen bilateral academic exchange and expand collaboration between the two institutions.
Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Ed., noted that Taiwan’s education system shares many similarities with the talent development philosophy of Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities. Through bilateral cooperation, Indonesian students will have more opportunities to engage with internationalized education models, thereby enhancing their academic competitiveness.
Prof. Chien-Fu Lin, Chair of the Department of Education, emphasized that NTNU has long been committed to international educational collaboration. He expressed that this exchange provides a platform for knowledge-sharing and cooperative innovation, paving the way for deeper academic cooperation in the future and fostering the development of bilateral education initiatives.
Trends in International Academic Cooperation: Strengthening Taiwan-Indonesia Educational Ties
In recent years, Taiwan and Indonesia have strengthened their collaboration in the education sector. NTNU has actively promoted academic exchanges with Southeast Asian countries, establishing partnerships with several Indonesian universities. Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah-Aisyiyah Universities have also been expanding their academic networks across Asia. This visit underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing international education, with expectations for more tangible outcomes in the future.
As globalization accelerates, higher education institutions increasingly emphasize cross-border collaboration and academic resource sharing. This exchange serves as a catalyst for both institutions to explore innovative cooperation models, creating a more globally competitive educational platform.