Berita

Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) has initiated discussions for an academic collaboration with Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED) in Spain. The meeting, held on Tuesday, March 11, saw representatives from both institutions engage in talks aimed at exploring potential cooperative ventures, particularly in the field of education. The discussions centered on the possibility of establishing a double degree program for students of both universities, as well as a doctoral program for UMY faculty.

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Prof. Andres De Castro Garcia, a distinguished academic from UNED, and his delegation, visited UMY to explore the collaboration. During the discussions, Prof. Andres highlighted that UNED is not only Spain’s largest public university but also the largest in the European Union, with an impressive student body of around 250,000. He elaborated on the university’s unique educational approach, termed “blended learning,” which integrates online and offline learning formats. This system, he explained, breaks down barriers to education, providing opportunities for students worldwide to access learning, as long as they have a computer and internet access.

“This system removes the geographical limits to knowledge acquisition. UNED also has a reputation for its rigorous academic standards, making it difficult for students to graduate. However, those who succeed tend to enjoy highly successful professional careers,” Prof. Andres remarked.

The UNED delegation’s visit to UMY was hosted by Fitri Arofiati, Head of the Center for International Cooperation and Internationalization at UMY, and attended by representatives from several UMY departments, including Law, International Relations, and Electrical Engineering. One key aspect of the discussions was the opportunity for UMY’s doctoral students, who are often working professionals and find it challenging to leave their teaching responsibilities, to participate in this collaborative program. Notably, UNED does not require its students to be physically present in Spain, making it a particularly appealing option for UMY’s faculty.

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Prof. Andres expressed optimism about the partnership, particularly regarding the doctoral program. He noted that UNED is committed to continuously supporting its graduates, even after they have completed their studies. “In Spain, a doctoral advisor maintains a lifelong relationship with their students, even until their passing,” he added. This strong academic commitment forms the foundation for potential collaboration between UMY and UNED.

“This meeting also responds to UMY’s invitation to create a double degree program. We are excited about the possibility of working together on this, starting with postgraduate programs in more specialized fields,” Prof. Andres concluded.