A vibrant atmosphere filled the Hall Sang Pencerah on Friday, October 24, 2025, as hundreds of participants from various countries gathered for The 3rd UMGCINMATIC International Conference. This year, the prestigious international conference carried the theme “Strengthening Teacher Education in the Era of AI,” a topic that has become the focus of global educational discussions. The grand event was the result of a collaboration between Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UMG) and the Loei Provincial Education Office, Thailand.Both institutions share a common vision to strengthen teacher education amid the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology. This cross-country collaboration stands as solid proof that innovation and education can progress hand in hand, beyond geographical boundaries.
The conference opened with a stunning performance of “Tari Damar Kurung” by students of UMG’s Elementary Teacher Education (PGSD) program, showcasing the grace of Gresik’s culture combined with a spirit of modernity. The performance symbolically conveyed the main message of the event that technological advancement should not distance us from our cultural roots and human values.
In her welcoming speech, Dr. Umaimah, Chairperson of UMGCINMATIC 2025, emphasized that the conference served as an important space for exchanging ideas and values among nations.
“This event is a meeting ground of ideas and cultures. We learn that technological progress must go hand in hand with humanity. Through this conference, we hope to create sustainable collaboration between Indonesia and Thailand in building the future of education,”
she said.
The event was officially opened by the Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik, Prof. Dr. Khoirul Anwar, S.Pd., M.Pd., who expressed his deep appreciation for the presence of all participants and international collaborators. In his remarks, he highlighted the crucial role of teachers in balancing technological advancement with moral and character development.
“Artificial intelligence can simplify the learning process, but it can never replace the human touch of a teacher. Teachers remain the heart of education the movers of values and the source of inspiration for future generations,”
stated Prof. Khoirul Anwar.
Another speech was delivered by Prof. Dr. Yudhi Arifani, S.Pd., M.Pd., Director of the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) at UMG. He asserted that this international collaboration marks a strategic step for UMG in strengthening its research and innovation ecosystem with global competitiveness.
“UM Gresik is committed to becoming a hub of international collaboration in education and research. We are not only sharing knowledge but also building networks that bring real impact to the world of education,” explained Prof. Yudhi.
The conference featured four distinguished speakers from Indonesia and Thailand who shared their insights and experiences on strengthening teacher education in the age of AI:
- Ulfatul Ma’rifah, M.Pd. – Lecturer, Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik
- Dr. Wanida Simpol – Supervisor, Loei Provincial Education Office, Thailand
- Mr. Somkid Kesda – Director, Nonghinwittayakom School, Thailand
- Sergeant Dr. Mongkhon Sonnuan – Provincial Education Office, Thailand
The speakers presented ideas on how technology can be leveraged to enhance the quality of education without neglecting social and ethical aspects. They emphasized the importance of teacher empowerment, encouragingeducators not only to be users of technology but also innovators who bring positive change into the classroom.
The event received an enthusiastic response from hundreds of UMG students and lecturers, as well as international students from Comoros, Sudan, Yemen, Pakistan, and Thailand. The presence of the Thai education delegation further strengthened academic friendship between the two nations.
The atmosphere in Hall Sang Pencerah was lively and intellectually engaging, filled with dynamic discussions where participants exchanged ideas about AI-based learning strategies, adaptive curriculum implementation, and ethical challenges in the digital age. This exchange of cross-cultural ideas reflected the spirit of openness and global learning that has become a hallmark of UMG.
According to Ulfatul Ma’rifah, M.Pd., one of the speakers and UMG lecturers, the event was an important moment to build global awareness among educators.
“We learn that AI is not a threat but a great opportunity for education if used wisely. This collaboration proves that education can serve as a bridge that unites nations in the spirit of progress,”
she remarked. With the successful implementation of this conference, Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik further strengthens its role as a university actively building international networks and contributing to global educational discourse. Through research, innovation, and global collaboration, UMG continues to advance toward becoming a world-class universityready to face the challenges of the digital era.