The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY) organized a Welcoming Ceremony for On-Site Joint Supervision on Monday, 4 May 2026, at the 3rd Floor Hall of the Sugeng Mardiyono Building. The event marked an important milestone in strengthening international academic collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The program was also supported through the EQUITY THE Impact Ranking funding scheme as part of ongoing efforts to enhance global collaboration and sustainable educational quality.

The ceremony commenced with opening remarks from the Vice Director for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Research, and Cooperation of SPs UNY, who extended a warm welcome and expressed appreciation for the presence of the UPM delegation. In the remarks, it was emphasized that the collaboration is expected to provide meaningful academic supervision for Muthmainah, a doctoral student in the Educational Research and Evaluation Program (PEP), while also creating opportunities for broader knowledge exchange through guest lecture activities. The session also introduced various study programs offered within SPs UNY.

Representing UPM, Prof. Tajularipin Binti Sulaiman presented a range of collaborative opportunities that could be developed between the two institutions. She explained that UPM has implemented a hybrid learning system consisting of 70% online and 30% offline learning. Furthermore, she highlighted potential collaborations in the form of dual degree programs, student exchanges, joint seminars for master’s and doctoral students, as well as training programs on scientific article writing strategies aimed at Scopus-indexed publications. Greetings from the Dean of the Faculty of Educational Studies UPM, Iwan Marzuki, were also conveyed during the occasion.

The discussion session unfolded dynamically, featuring a variety of questions and collaborative ideas. The Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Educational Science at SPs UNY raised questions regarding the alignment of study programs between both institutions and the possibility of organizing regular collaborative webinars. In response, Prof. Tajularipin explained that UPM currently offers 17 master’s and doctoral programs with strong potential for future collaboration.

The Coordinator of the International Affairs and Cooperation Unit (UUIK) of SPs UNY further explored procedures related to double degree programs and student exchange opportunities. It was explained that the implementation of a double degree scheme would involve stages such as the formulation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), approval through the university senate, and an administrative process that may take approximately six months to one year. UPM was also described as highly open to international students through mechanisms such as credit transfer schemes, supported by various student accommodation facilities.

During the discussion, Dr. Haryanto, serving as co-promotor of the doctoral student, shared that learning activities within the doctoral program had integrated artificial intelligence technologies through the use of R and Python. He further noted that previous experiences in international collaborative research had provided a strong foundation for establishing future partnerships with UPM.

In addition, Prof. Dr. Edi Istiyono, Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Environmental Science, expressed appreciation for the visit while introducing students involved in the joint supervision initiative, including Muthmainah as a doctoral student in the Educational Research and Evaluation Program.

As a closing session, Muthmainah presented her dissertation proposal before academics from both institutions. Beyond serving as part of the academic supervision process, the activity symbolized the beginning of a strengthened international partnership expected to continue growing in the future, particularly through the support of strategic funding initiatives such as the EQUITY THE Impact Ranking program.