Yogyakarta, July 8, 2025 – Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta (UPY) has officially taken a step forward in expanding its international collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Punjabi University, Patiala, India. The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday morning at the UPY Rectorate Meeting Hall, marking the beginning of an academic partnership aimed at fostering cross-border educational exchange and research cooperation.
The MoU was signed by UPY Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Paiman, M.P., and Dr. Balraj Singh Brar, representative of Punjabi University, accompanied by his academic team. The event was also attended by representatives from the YP-UPY Foundation, heads of academic programs, university faculty, students, and the Office of International Affairs team comprising Dr. Wahyudi, Taufik Muhtarom, Ph.D., and Guruh Ghifar Zalzalah, M.Si.
Following the MoU signing, the event continued with an enriching guest lecture delivered by Dr. Balraj Singh Brar. The lecture, titled “The Spread of Hinduism from India to Indonesia from Historical Perspective,” explored the deep-rooted historical connections between the two nations and traced the influence of Indian civilization on Indonesian culture over centuries.
The session was held from 09.30 to 12.00 AM across two venues – the Rectorate Meeting Hall and the AVA Room of the History Education Department – and drew enthusiastic participation from a broad spectrum of UPY students. While the event was initiated by the History Education Department, it successfully attracted student representatives from multiple study programs, including Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Civic Education, Elementary School Teacher Education, English Education, Early Childhood Education, and Special Education.
In his address, Prof. Paiman emphasized the significance of global academic synergy, stating, “This partnership is a milestone for UPY as we continue to embrace international collaboration. We are proud to welcome our colleagues from India and look forward to more fruitful academic exchanges in the future.”
Dr. Brar expressed his gratitude and optimism about the collaboration. “It is an honor to engage with the students and faculty of UPY. I believe there is great potential for collaborative research and cultural learning between our institutions.”
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students actively engaged with the speaker, reflecting a growing interest in global historical narratives and intercultural dialogue.
With this MoU and the successful guest lecture, UPY sets a promising foundation for international academic engagement and opens new doors for students and faculty alike to explore shared histories and future opportunities. [TM]
