The Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Student Association (IMABTA) of UGM and the Indonesian Students Association of the Middle East Region (PPIDK Timtengka) conducted a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday evening, July 31, 2024, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM WIB at the Omega Education Group office, Senopati, South Jakarta. The signing of this memorandum was attended by representatives from both organizations. From IMABTA UGM, the signing was represented by Farhan Azis Wildani as Vice Chair of IMABTA UGM and Aisya Dianmar Adzani as Secretary. Meanwhile, from PPIDK Timtengka, the signing was represented by Siti Amaliah as Coordinator of the Indonesian Students Association of the Middle East and Africa. Representatives from several Indonesian Student Associations under the umbrella of PPIDK Timtengka were also present and actively involved in the event. Among the Indonesian Student Associations present at the event were PPI Oman, represented by Fu’ad Alfikr, and two prominent figures who are Ambassadors of Timtengka, Tubagus Muhammad (PPI Syria) and Hanifah Khairiyah (PPMI Egypt). Additionally, Imran Zarkasyi, Rifqy Ramdhani, and Imada Hanimul Haq from PPMI Egypt also attended and actively participated in the discussion forum for planning the realization of future collaborative activities between the two parties following the sacred ceremony.
The signing of the MoU between IMABTA UGM and PPIDK Timtengka is expected to be a strategic step in building cooperative relations between the two parties with the main goal of enhancing the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. Additionally, the collaboration aims to strengthen academic relations and fortify the bonds of friendship among students. The forms of cooperation agreed upon include the exchange of information related to education, research, and community service intersecting between the two parties and plans for joint activities. In this regard, IMABTA UGM and PPIDK Timtengka are committed to continuing the collaboration agenda of the “Middle Eastern Culture Week,” which will be held annually. Moreover, both parties are committed to opening opportunities for student research collaboration and scientific publication in the Journal of Middle Eastern Culture & Religion Issues (MECRI).
Siti Amaliah, the Coordinator of PPIDK Timtengka, stated that the Middle East is a vast region that remains open for the study of its dynamics and culture. In the future, this international cooperation and collaborative commitment are expected to be a positive starting point for both parties.
