Uttara University has signed 22 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with leading universities across Asia and Africa during the 5th Annual Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026, held from June 22 to 25 at the Indonesia Convention Center in Jakarta.
Organised by Times Higher Education, the global congress brought together university leaders, policymakers, researchers and industry experts from around the world to discuss how higher education can accelerate sustainable development and strengthen international collaboration, reads a press release.
Representing Uttara University at the four-day event were Abid Aziz, member of the Board of Trustees, and Sheikh Yasha Shan, director of the Office of the Institutional Ranking Cell.
Through a series of high-level meetings, networking sessions and academic engagements, the university established partnerships with 22 internationally recognised institutions.
The majority of the agreements were signed with universities in Indonesia, where Uttara University partnered with 15 institutions.
These include Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Universitas Islam Ahmad Dahlan, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Muhammadiyah (UNIMUDA) Sorong, Universitas Negeri Padang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo, Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton, Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau, Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember and Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya.
In the Philippines, the university signed MoUs with six institutions, including the University of the Visayas, the University of Eastern Philippine, Cavite State University, Southern Leyte State University and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, expanding opportunities for collaboration in agriculture, marine technology and multidisciplinary research.
The university also signed an agreement with the Durban University of Technology in South Africa, extending its international collaboration to the African continent with a focus on innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.
According to the university, the agreements will facilitate student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research projects, co-authored publications, curriculum development, visiting scholar initiatives, dual-degree pathways, and the joint organisation of international conferences, seminars and academic workshops.
The partner institutions span Indonesia, the Philippines and South Africa, reflecting Uttara University’s efforts to strengthen international academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.
University representatives said, “This achievement reflects Uttara University’s growing commitment to global engagement and academic excellence. In today’s interconnected world, international collaboration is no longer an option, it is a necessity.
These partnerships will create meaningful opportunities for our students, faculty, and researchers while strengthening our contribution to global knowledge and sustainable development.”
The university said the new partnerships reinforce its vision of becoming a globally connected institution through world-class education, innovative research and meaningful international collaboration.
