MSU-Maguindanao and Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Strengthen Regional Commitment to Peace, Gender Equality, and Academic Innovation

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — June 19, 2025 – Building on its historic collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada, Mindanao State University-Maguindanao (MSU-Maguindanao) entered another strategic academic partnership, this time with Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), marking the second of three formal partnerships forged during the Learning Exchange in Indonesia. The MOU signing was held at UMY’s campus and was supported by UNDP Philippines and the UK Government, with the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) continuing as a vital institutional partner in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) academic initiative.

The partnership signals a deepening of academic solidarity across Southeast Asia, grounded in shared values of peacebuilding, Islamic ethics, interfaith dialogue, and inclusive education. Representing MSU-Maguindanao and Chancellor Bai Hejira Limbona, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Dr. Arceli B. Naraga emphasized the university’s commitment to the WPS agenda and the transformative impact of the Diploma in Women, Peace and Security (DWPS), which has empowered its first cohort of 36 women leaders to bridge knowledge with community action.

UMY Rector Prof. Dr. Achmad Nurmandi warmly received the MSU delegation and highlighted the longstanding relationship between UMY and other MSU campuses, including Marawi, Iligan, and Tawi-Tawi. He shared his vision of revitalizing these relationships by strengthening academic exchange and solidarity between Muslim communities of Indonesia and the Bangsamoro region. He also announced forthcoming opportunities such as double degree programs, fully funded graduate scholarships, and student and faculty mobility, as part of UMY’s commitment to internationalizing Islamic higher education and contributing to global peace discourses.

A key highlight of the signing ceremony was the shared commitment to establish a Academic Center of Excellence on Women, Peace and Security, a collaborative platform envisioned to host research, knowledge production, policy dialogues, and capacity-building initiatives. The center will not only nurture academic innovation but also enable grassroots engagement by linking gender justice with peace and development goals.

This partnership is supported by a broad ecosystem of collaborators, including the European Union, the Bangsamoro Women Commission, and the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) of BARMM, among others—reflecting the multi-stakeholder nature of WPS implementation and academic diplomacy in the region.

This academic agreement is not just an institutional milestone; it is a powerful step toward cultivating regional knowledge systems that are rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a collective pursuit of peace. With UMY’s position as a leading member of the Muhammadiyah University network—comprising 64 institutions across Indonesia—the partnership opens broader pathways for collaborative programs in governance, Islamic studies, health sciences, education, and beyond.

More than a partnership on Women, Peace and Security, this engagement with Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta signals the emergence of a wider vision—one that sees academic diplomacy as a means to nurture a Southeast Asia anchored in peace, equity, and ethical leadership. For MSU-Maguindanao, this alliance reflects a growing responsibility to build not just courses or degrees, but communities of care and knowledge. As both institutions move forward, the collaboration serves as a living testament to the power of education in responding to the moral challenges of our time, and in strengthening bonds that transcend borders.

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