A delegation from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta in Indonesia visited the Institute for Research and Academic Services (IRAS) at Assumption University of Thailand (AU) on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, for an international benchmarking visit aimed at strengthening research excellence, academic cooperation, and long-term institutional partnership.
The visit reflects a growing spirit of regional collaboration between higher education institutions in Thailand and Indonesia. The delegation represented the Directorate of Research, Community Service, Publication, and Intellectual Property Center (DRPPS) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), one of Indonesia’s respected private Islamic universities with a strong commitment to research, community engagement, and international academic development. The delegation was led by Prof. Ir. Supriyono, Ph.D., Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Institutional Reputation, Impact, Partnership, and Internationalization.
The visit was formally requested by Prof. Harjito, M.T., Ph.D., IPM., Director of DRPPS at UMS, who expressed the university’s intention to learn from IRAS’s institutional practices in advancing research governance, strengthening scholarly capacity, and supporting research initiatives aligned with global academic standards.
Benchmarking With Purpose
The meeting provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange insights on research administration, academic services, publication development, intellectual property support, and capacity-building for researchers. UMS identified IRAS as a key institutional pillar in supporting research excellence at AU and noted that IRAS’s experience may offer valuable guidance for enhancing research governance within UMS.
Beyond benchmarking, the visit opened discussion on future areas of collaboration, including joint research initiatives, researcher development, academic networking, and other long-term projects that could contribute to the internationalization and research impact of both universities.
Building Bridges Across ASEAN
The visit also reflected the broader role of universities in the ASEAN region as engines of knowledge exchange, innovation, and social development. By bringing together research leaders from Indonesia and Thailand, the meeting will support a shared commitment to academic excellence and practical cooperation across borders.
For AU, the visit represents another meaningful step in strengthening international partnerships rooted in mutual respect, institutional learning, and shared academic purpose. Through IRAS, the university continues to support research, academic services, and scholarly engagement that connect AU with regional and global partners.
A Foundation for Future Cooperation
The UMS delegation’s visit to IRAS serves as a foundation for deeper dialogue between the two institutions. Discussions focused not only on current research practices but also on possible frameworks for sustainable collaboration in the years ahead.
As higher education institutions across ASEAN continue to respond to global challenges through research, innovation, and community service, partnerships such as this one demonstrate how universities can work together to expand knowledge, strengthen capacity, and create meaningful impact beyond national borders.
WRITER : THE AU LIBRARY
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