Yogyakarta, July 14, 2025 – Universitas PGRI Yogyakarta (UPY) continues to strengthen its global academic network through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). The ceremony, held on Monday afternoon at the UPY Rectorate Meeting Hall, marked the beginning of a promising collaboration in education, research, and innovation between the two institutions.
The MoU was signed by UPY Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Paiman, M.P. and UTeM Vice Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ts. Dr. Massila Kamalrudin, accompanied by key delegates including Prof. Dr. Mohd Rizal bin Saleh, Dean of the Postgraduate School, and representatives from UTeM’s Institute of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship. The event was also attended by representatives from the YP-UPY Foundation, deans and heads of study programs, students, and the UPY Office of International Affairs team: Dr. Wahyudi, Taufik Muhtarom, Ph.D., and Guruh Ghifar Zalzalah, M.Si.
Following the official signing, the collaboration was celebrated with a hybrid-format guest lecture featuring Dr. Muhammad Zulfattah bin Zakaria, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship, UTeM. His presentation, titled “Sustainable Farming via Engineering and Technology”, highlighted the role of technological innovations and interdisciplinary approaches in promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices.
The lecture took place from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and was attended both on-site at the Rectorate Meeting Hall and virtually via Zoom. The session drew participation from lecturers and students across multiple UPY study programs, including Agrotechnology, Agricultural Product Technology, Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, Nutrition, Architecture, and Informatics.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Paiman emphasized the importance of cross-border academic engagement in addressing global challenges. “This partnership not only enhances our academic environment but also opens up opportunities for our students and faculty to engage with pressing issues like sustainability through a global lens,” he stated.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Massila Kamalrudin echoed this sentiment, adding, “UTeM is excited to embark on this journey with UPY. Together, we hope to build impactful research collaborations and knowledge-sharing platforms that benefit both our communities.”
The hybrid nature of the guest lecture allowed for broader participation and interactive discussions, with students and faculty raising questions on the applications of engineering in modern farming, the role of IoT in agriculture, and sustainable food production methods.
The event concluded with a symbolic exchange of tokens and group photos, cementing a shared commitment to international cooperation and sustainable innovation in higher education.
With the successful MoU signing and guest lecture, UPY and UTeM have laid the groundwork for a vibrant academic partnership that bridges nations and disciplines in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.
