SURAKARTA — The Communication Science Program at the Faculty of Communications and Informatics (FKI), Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), continues to expand its international network by signing a collaboration agreement with the University of Zululand, South Africa. The signing of the memorandum of understanding took place in the FKI UMS Meeting Room on Monday (July 6, 2026).
The partnership focuses on developing educational collaborations, student and faculty exchanges, joint guest lectures, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), short courses, curriculum benchmarking, collaborative research, academic innovations, and the co-hosting of international conferences.
The Dean of FKI UMS, Endah Sudarmilah, stated that the partnership is a crucial step in strengthening the international recognition of the Communication Science Program while simultaneously expanding global collaboration opportunities for the academic community.
“FKI UMS has its own uniqueness, where informatics is integrated with communication science into a single container,” she said.
Endah further explained that FKI UMS has previously established various forms of international cooperation—ranging from student exchanges, visiting lectures, and research collaborations, to organizing international conferences—with several universities in South Korea, Malaysia, France, Italy, Taiwan, and Japan. This network is now further strengthened through the partnership with the University of Zululand.
She also highlighted several research strengths possessed by FKI UMS, encompassing Artificial Intelligence (AI), software and systems, media and society, as well as immersive and human-centered technology. These areas are considered to have many intersections with the academic developments at the University of Zululand.
Meanwhile, the Vice Dean I of FKI UMS, Endang Wahyu Pamungkas, emphasized that international collaborations must not stop at the signing of documents but must be actualized through tangible programs.
According to him, collaboration opportunities can be developed through joint guest lectures, COIL programs, short courses, curriculum benchmarking, academic exchanges, collaborative research, and innovation development.
“We want to start with small activities that build trust. Afterward, the collaboration can be escalated into larger, sustainable programs,” he expressed.
On the occasion, the representative from the University of Zululand, Gedala Mulliah Naidoo—affectionately known as Prof. Kevin—introduced his campus’s communications faculty, which offers education levels ranging from diplomas and bachelor’s degrees to master’s and doctoral degrees. He also shared that the University of Zululand has actively forged collaborations with various international universities, including several in Indonesia.
According to him, the academic relationship with UMS had actually already been established through mutual participation in international conferences and other academic activities. The signing of this current agreement is expected to serve as a stepping stone to expand collaborative research, scientific publications, COIL projects, and student exchanges.
“We can learn from each other and share expertise. Communication serves as a bridge connecting various disciplines, including informatics, which is a strength of FKI UMS,” he explained.
Kevin also invited UMS lecturers and students to visit the University of Zululand while introducing South Africa as a country rich in cultural diversity with numerous research opportunities, particularly in communication studies, multicultural societies, diasporas, and post-apartheid social transformation.
The Head of the UMS Communication Science Bachelor Program, Sidiq Setyawan, explained that UMS is currently preparing to implement the COIL program, which is scheduled to commence next January. The program is expected to be an initial step toward semester-long student exchanges.
He noted that students will eventually gain not only academic experience through credit transfers but also cross-cultural experiences that reinforce global competencies.
“We want students to gain international exposure through joint learning, cultural exchanges, academic discussions, and cross-university curriculum introductions,” he said.
The discussion also covered research funding systems in Indonesia and South Africa, mechanisms for scientific publications, opportunities for joint supervision of postgraduate students, and the development of international research grant proposals.
Through this collaboration, the FKI UMS Communication Science Program hopes to expand its international academic network, elevate the quality of reputable research and publications, and create more opportunities for lecturers and students to gain academic experience on an international scale.