The internationalization of Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UM Gresik) is not solely directed toward strengthening institutional networks, but also toward the university’s direct presence in global social and educational spaces. This approach is reflected in a series of collaborative activities between UM Gresik and Thammislam Foundation School, Thailand, which combine the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the implementation of cross-border community service programs.
This collaboration represents a continuation of UM Gresik’s commitment to ensuring that international partnerships do not stop at administrative formalities. Through the MoU Signing and Community Service activities, UM Gresik positions education and community engagement as interconnected elements within its internationalization process.
The Rector of UM Gresik, Prof. Dr. Khoirul Anwar, S.Pd., M.Pd., emphasized that higher education institutions carry a responsibility to bring both academic and humanitarian values into every global partnership. According to him, international community service serves as a concrete way to ensure that cross-country collaborations generate tangible impact. “Global cooperation should not only expand networks, but also broaden benefits. Education, community engagement, and humanitarian values must move forward together,” he stated.
In addition to the MoU signing, the program was enriched with community service activities involving UM Gresik’s academic community and partners in Thailand. These activities included educational and social programs, as well as the reinforcement of Islamic values framed within a cross-cultural context. Through direct interaction, UM Gresik’s academic community gained global experience that extended beyond academics to include social and cultural dimensions.
The Head of the International Relations Office (IRO) of UM Gresik, Paulina, S.Pd., M.Pd., explained that the collaboration with Thammislam Foundation School opens opportunities for the development of more diverse international programs. Several follow-up agendas discussed include a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on academic collaboration, joint teaching initiatives, and cultural programs scheduled to take place on December 18, 2025. “We design this collaboration as a space for the exchange of ideas, educational practices, and cross-cultural experiences, rather than merely a formal institutional relationship,” she explained.
Through this series of activities, UM Gresik reaffirms that campus internationalization is understood as a sustainable process built through active engagement, academic dialogue, and concrete action. UM Gresik’s presence in Thailand also expands the global role of Muhammadiyah’s community engagement, while maintaining the institutional values that form its foundation.