Selangor, August 13, 2026 — The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY) conducted an academic visit to Open University Malaysia (OUM) on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The visit was part of SPs UNY’s efforts to strengthen distance learning governance while exploring opportunities for collaboration in implementing the Three Pillars of Higher Education.

OUM was selected as a potential partner due to its extensive experience and strong reputation in delivering distance-based higher education. For SPs UNY, OUM’s experience serves as an important reference for developing and strengthening study programs delivered through the Distance Learning Program (PJJ). Through this visit, SPs UNY sought to gain insights into governance practices, learning management, and the development of a distance learning ecosystem implemented by OUM.

The SPs UNY delegation was led by Prof. Siswantoyo, M.Kes., AIFO, Director of SPs UNY, accompanied by Dr. phil. Rahmatul Irfan, M.T., Coordinator of the Technology and Vocational Education Program (Regular and Distance Learning), and Dr. Ezi Apino, M.Pd., a staff member of the SPs UNY Research and Educational Evaluation Laboratory. The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Mohamad Yazed Bahaman, Director of Group Marketing at OUM.

The meeting took place in a warm and constructive atmosphere. Discussions focused on various aspects of distance learning delivery, particularly institutional governance, the management of distance learning programs, and opportunities for academic collaboration. Both institutions also explored other potential forms of cooperation to support the implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education, including education, research, and community service.

For SPs UNY, the visit was strategically significant because distance learning programs require stronger institutional capacity and governance systems that can adapt to technological developments and the needs of lifelong learning. OUM’s experience in managing distance education is expected to provide valuable lessons for SPs UNY in improving academic services and ensuring the sustainable management of its distance learning programs.

The visit also formed part of SPs UNY’s staff mobility initiative, which aims not only to develop institutional networks but also to provide staff with new insights and experiences in higher education governance, particularly in the delivery of distance learning. Staff mobility is therefore expected to contribute to human resource capacity building and institutional strengthening at SPs UNY.

Through discussions and exchanges of ideas during the visit, SPs UNY and OUM agreed to follow up on the initial initiatives established. Both parties expressed openness to developing more concrete, strategic, and mutually beneficial forms of collaboration in the future. The visit is expected to mark the first step toward a closer partnership between SPs UNY and OUM in advancing distance learning and supporting the implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education at the international level. (EA)