Yogyakarta, October 7, 2026 — The Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (SPs UNY) welcomed a delegation from Universitas Labuhanbatu (ULB), North Sumatra, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Held in the Executive Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor of the Imam Barnadib Building, the meeting discussed opportunities for strategic cooperation in human resource development, particularly in improving lecturers’ academic qualifications through the Distance Learning Program (PJJ).

The delegation was welcomed by the Director of SPs UNY, Prof. Dr. Siswantoyo, M.Kes., AIFO. Meanwhile, the ULB delegation was led by its Rector, Assoc. Prof. Ade Parlaungan Nasution, Ph.D., accompanied by Vice Rector I, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sriono, S.H., M.Kn., and Vice Rector III, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marlina Siregar, S.Pd., M.Pd.

In his remarks, the Rector of ULB expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome from SPs UNY. He explained that ULB was actively pursuing improvements in the quality of its academic staff and viewed the SPs UNY Distance Learning Program as a strategic opportunity to support this agenda.

“In 2026, seven lecturers are interested in pursuing further studies through the Distance Learning Program,” Ade stated.

Beyond improving lecturers’ academic qualifications, ULB also sees opportunities for collaboration in academic program development. The Dean of ULB’s Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) explained that the university had recently opened an undergraduate program in Sports Coaching Education (PKO) and planned to recruit graduates of UNY’s master’s program in Sports Coaching Education to strengthen its teaching staff.

Further opportunities for cooperation include organizing joint academic activities. Vice Rector III of ULB, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marlina Siregar, S.Pd., M.Pd., expressed hope that the collaboration could be realized through seminars and other academic events.

Meanwhile, Vice Rector I of ULB, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sriono, S.H., M.Kn., explained that ULB currently employs approximately 140 lecturers, 26 of whom hold doctoral degrees. He emphasized that improving lecturers’ qualifications and competencies is an important part of the university’s future development.

As a concrete expression of their commitment to collaboration, the meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Universitas Labuhanbatu and Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta. The signing marked an initial step toward pursuing various opportunities for cooperation, particularly in human resource development, education, and joint academic activities.

Through this partnership, SPs UNY and Universitas Labuhanbatu are expected to expand their academic networks while establishing collaborations that deliver tangible benefits for improving the quality of higher education human resources.