Kuala Lumpur, August 13, 2026 — The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY) conducted an academic visit to Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia, on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The visit marked an important step in implementing academic cooperation between SPs UNY and Universiti Malaya, particularly in the exchange of examiners for doctoral dissertations. In addition to strengthening existing collaboration, the visit also provided an opportunity to explore further academic collaboration and expand the international networks of both institutions.

One of the main activities during the visit was the appointment of the Director of SPs UNY, Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M.Kes., AIFO, as an external examiner for a Ph.D. candidate at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. The examination took place in the Edu Future Learning Room 02, The Research HUB Building, Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. The Director’s involvement as an external examiner represented a concrete implementation of the academic partnership between the two institutions, reflecting their shared commitment to maintaining academic quality and advancing doctoral education.

The exchange of dissertation examiners plays a strategic role in strengthening the quality of doctoral education. The involvement of academics from international partner institutions provides broader academic perspectives in dissertation evaluation while creating opportunities to exchange ideas and scholarly experiences. For SPs UNY, this collaboration also forms part of its efforts to expand academic engagement in international higher education networks and enhance the institution’s global academic visibility.

During the visit, the SPs UNY delegation focused not only on fulfilling the external examiner assignment but also on exploring the academic services, facilities, and management practices developed at Universiti Malaya. The visit offered SPs UNY an opportunity to gain insights into the academic environment and the infrastructure supporting learning and research at one of the leading universities in Asia.

The Director of SPs UNY was accompanied by Dr. phil. Rahmatul Irfan, M.T., Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Technology and Vocational Education (PTK) at UNY, and Dr. Ezi Apino, M.Pd., a staff member of the SPs UNY Research and Educational Evaluation Laboratory. During the visit, the delegation also had opportunities to engage in discussions with staff members, lecturers, and faculty leaders at Universiti Malaya. The discussions took place in an open academic atmosphere and explored various possibilities for future collaboration.

The meeting served as a strategic platform for exchanging experiences in higher education management, academic program development, research, and institutional internationalization. In addition to strengthening existing relationships, the academic dialogue opened up opportunities to develop broader and more concrete forms of cooperation between SPs UNY and Universiti Malaya.

The academic visit also formed part of SPs UNY’s staff mobility program. Through staff mobility, international experience is gained not only by carrying out formal cooperation activities but also through direct interaction with the academic and institutional environments of partner universities. These experiences are expected to broaden SPs UNY staff members’ understanding of higher education management practices, academic services, learning and research facilities, and strategies for strengthening international networks.

For SPs UNY, the visit to Universiti Malaya carried significance beyond the implementation of the dissertation examiner exchange. It formed part of a broader strategy to strengthen existing partnerships while developing new collaborations that could enhance the roles of both institutions in the international academic community. Through closer cooperation, SPs UNY and Universiti Malaya are expected to develop joint initiatives that benefit their respective academic communities while contributing to higher education quality and strengthening their academic reputations internationally.

This visit represents a concrete step by SPs UNY toward fostering an open, collaborative, and globally oriented academic culture. The implementation of cooperation through examiner exchanges, staff mobility, and the exploration of new collaborative opportunities is expected to continue developing into sustainable partnerships that positively contribute to education, research, and community service.