Amid the dynamics of global disruption and the rapid transformation of higher education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik (UM Gresik) has demonstrated its active presence in international academic forums by participating in the Eurasian Rajamangala International Conference (ERIC’25), held in Thailand on 19 December 2025. The conference was organized by Eurasian Campus Sri Lanka in collaboration with Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK) and served as a meeting point for scholars and researchers from various countries.
Carrying the theme “Navigating Complexity in an Era of Disruptive Globalization,” ERIC’25 brought together academics, researchers, and education practitioners to engage in critical discussions on global challenges in science, education, innovation, and culture. In this prestigious forum, a postgraduate student of the English Education Study Program at UM Gresik, Elis Suminar, was selected as an international presenter, delivering her research findings and actively participating in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary academic discussions.
Elis Suminar’s participation as an international presenter marked not only a personal academic achievement but also a significant milestone within the institutional academic framework. In accordance with applicable academic regulations, her research presentation and scholarly engagement at the international conference were recognized as equivalent to an advanced academic examination. As a result, Elis Suminar was officially declared to have graduated without the requirement of undergoing a thesis defense. This achievement underscores the academic rigor of her research as well as the global readiness of UM Gresik’s postgraduate students.
Elis Suminar’s academic supervisor, Dr. Nirwanto Maruf, M.Hum., expressed his appreciation for the achievement, emphasizing that international conferences such as ERIC’25 function beyond ceremonial platforms. According to him, such forums serve as rigorous academic arenas where research is examined through critical feedback, scholarly debate, and evaluation by international academics and professors. He noted that this accomplishment reflects a level of research quality that can be academically justified on a global stage.
The Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik, Prof. Dr. Khoirul Anwar, M.Pd., stated that this achievement aligns with the university’s ongoing commitment to strengthening internationalization. He emphasized that the active involvement of UM Gresik students and lecturers in international academic forums is a strong indicator of the institution’s readiness to compete globally, as well as evidence that its academic quality can be tested and recognized beyond national boundaries.
Support for this achievement was also conveyed by the Head of the International Relations Office (IRO) of UM Gresik, Paulina, M.Pd. She highlighted that student participation in international conferences constitutes a vital component of the university’s internationalization strategy. According to her, engagement in global academic forums not only broadens scholarly perspectives but also strengthens UM Gresik’s position within international academic networks.
Through its participation in ERIC’25, UM Gresik reaffirms its commitment to encouraging active involvement of its academic community in international publications and scholarly forums. This achievement is expected to inspire other postgraduate students to confidently step into global academic spaces, while further enhancing UM Gresik’s reputation as a progressive, adaptive, and internationally competitive higher education institution.