Ensure Good Governance, PPM Diktilitbang Assembly Holds Assistance

The PP Muhammadiyah Research and Development Higher Education Council (Diktilitbang) held Muhammadiyah Higher Education Assistance for the East Java Region I on Saturday and Sunday, 30-31 October 2021 on the 13th floor of the ATT building, University of Muhammadiyah Surabaya. This activity was attended by 24 participants from 8 PTMs including UMSurabaya, UM Sidoarjo (UMSIDA), UM Gresik, UM Jember, STIT Muhammadiyah Lumajang; STKIP Muhammadiyah Lumajang, STAI Muhammadiyah Probolinggo; and Muhammadiyah Banyuwangi Institute of Technology and Business (ITB). Prof. Chairil Anwar, in his opening speech via online said that this mentoring activity was held to monitor the development of Muhammadiyah Higher Education (PTM) while at the same time providing assistance in order to improve the quality of management of Educational Institutions through internal and external quality assurance. "Through this mentoring activity, PTMs that are already big can help and foster PTMs that are still small," said the deputy chairman of the Research and Development Higher Education assembly, better known as Prof CA.

The activity which was carried out for two days presented 3 main speakers, namely Prof. Bambang Setiaji, Prof. Sutrisno and Dr. Hari from the Assistance team of the PP Muhammadiyah Diktilitbang Council. Prof. Bambang delivered material on the importance of HR (Human Resources) for the progress of a higher education institution. "UMS (Surakarta) which is now big is because of the extraordinary investment in human resources, don't look at it now. UMS provides a sizable budget allocation for the development and quality of human resources," said Prof. Bambang, who is currently also entrusted with being the Chancellor of UMKT (Muhammadiyah University, East Kalimantan).

In addition, Prof BS (Prof Bambang Setiaji's nickname) is of the view that currently what is needed in the development of PTs is not buildings but human resources and technology. "Some universities in the UK allocate up to 90% of their budget for developing human resource quality, unlike us, which only allocates around 35% or even less of the total available budget. I used to feel guilty because the budget allocation for HR, especially for salaries, was very low…” said Prof. BA while advising the PTM Chancellors who were present not to be stingy in issuing budgets for HR.

Meanwhile, Prof. Sutrisno who also acted as a resource person at the event stressed the importance of implementing Catur Dharma in PTM. In addition to consistently overseeing the implementation of Catur Dharma, PTM must also be adaptable to changes in government policies related to higher education, including the Merdeka Learn Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) policy. On the other hand, Dr. Hari Prasetyo as the assistant team for the PP Muhammadiyah Diktilitbang assembly explained material about the quality assurance system and 9 criteria for Study Program accreditation instruments and institutional accreditation.

In addition to providing material, this activity also distributed mentoring from 4 Muhammadiyah Universities to Muhammadiyah High Schools which are included in the East Java region I. The Muhammadiyah Institute of Technology and Business (ITBM) Banyuwangi was accompanied by Muhammadiyah Gresik University; STIT Muhammadiyah Lumajang assisted by the Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya; STKIP Muhammadiyah Lumajang was fostered by UMSIDA, while UM Jember assisted STAI Muhammadiyah Probolinggo.

At the end of the 2nd day of activities, Prof CA in his closing remarks expressed his gratitude to the Chancellor of UM Surabaya for acting as a very good host. He also advised the participants that this assistance agenda was a manifestation of the responsibility of the PPM Diktilitbang assembly in maintaining the quality of management of Muhammadiyah Higher Education. Muhammadiyah must be a pioneer in providing quality education as a form of dedication to the nation and charity to Allah SWT. Meanwhile the Chancellor of Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya, Dr. dr., Sukadiono, MM in his closing remarks expressed his gratitude to the Diktilitbang Council for the trust given as the host of this association activity. "God willing, the more often you host organizational activities, UM Surabaya will grow and be a blessing." Said Mr. Suko, his nickname.