Yogyakarta (3/6) The National Consortium of Research and Community Service Institutions of Muhammadiyah—’ Aisyiyah Universities (LPPM PTMA) held a monitoring and evaluation meeting at the Dasron Hamid Research and Innovation Centre of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. The event was attended by various officials and members of the consortium, with the main focus on improving the quality and quantity of research and publications within Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah Universities (PTMA) throughout Indonesia.

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Ir. Sukamta, S.T., M.T., IPM, as the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, emphasised the importance of increasing research and community service cooperation between PTMAs as well as with other universities and industries. Prof. Sukamta also highlighted the consortium’s two flagship activities, URECOL and RisetMu, which are the main pillars in strengthening publications and research within PTMA.

“We have to increase cooperation in research and community service, as well as strengthen publications through increasing the number of documents and citations of publications between PTMA,” said Prof. Sukamta.

Chairman of the PTMA LPPM Consortium, Prof. Ir. Sarjito, M.T., Ph.D., IPM, introduced the new structure of the consortium, which consists of five regions: Jakarta West Java, Special Region of Yogyakarta Central Java, Sumatra Kalimantan, East Java Bali Nusa Tenggara, and Sulawesi Maluku and Papua. A change in the periodization of the consortium’s leadership from five years to two years was also presented at the meeting.

“This consortium has a main focus on research, publications, community service, and intellectual property rights (IPR). In addition, we will continue to optimise excellent activities such as KKN-MAS, seminars, and workshops,” explained Prof. Sarjito.

The meeting also discussed various evaluations of activities that have been carried out, including the inauguration of the board, national meeting activities, and URECOL at Muhammadiyah Purwokerto University (UMP). In addition, preparations for the implementation of international conferences and DRTPM proposal assistance were also the main topics of discussion.

“To ensure the success of one of the flagship programmes, such as URECOL, we need careful preparation. In addition, the patent drafting programme will be implemented in July 2024,” added Prof. Sarjito.

With various plans and evaluations carried out, the National Consortium of LPPM PTMA is optimistic that it can improve the quality of research, publications, and community service within Muhammadiyah-‘Aisyiyah Universities.