Makassar, July 30, 2025 – The Sharia Economics Study Program of the University of Muhammadiyah Lamongan (UMLA) participated online in the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Association of Islamic Economics Study Programs (APSEI) of Muhammadiyah and 'Aisyiyah Universities (PTMA), held at the University of Muhammadiyah Makassar. With the theme "Accelerating the International Competitiveness and Quality of Islamic Economics Study Programs within PTMA," this event served as a strategic forum to encourage improvements in the quality and global competitiveness of Islamic Economics study programs.

As part of the PTMA academic community, the Sharia Economics Study Program at UMLA closely participated in all activities. This Rakornas served as a forum for collective reflection on the direction of the study program's development, ensuring not only administrative excellence but also strong scientific substance and international collaboration. UMLA's active participation affirms its commitment to continuously improving towards the superior accreditation standards of LAMEMBA and addressing the increasingly real challenges of internationalization in the digital era.

In a strategic presentation delivered by the General Chair of APSEI PTMA, Dr. Dimas Bagus Wiranatakusuma emphasized the importance of achieving key quality indicators, such as outcome-based education, increased collaborative research, and strengthened modern governance. In response, the UMLA Sharia Economics Study Program welcomes this policy direction and has designed a number of concrete steps, including:

Strengthening the OBE and KKNI-based curriculum,

Expanding the collaborative research network across PTMA (Islamic boarding schools) and international partners,

Increasing scientific publications by lecturers and students,

and plans for participation in summer school programs and international conferences.

The National Coordination Meeting also highlighted the importance of digitalizing promotions, developing a sharia investment gallery, and empowering students through scientific competitions. The UMLA Sharia Economics Study Program believes this aligns with the study program's vision as a center of excellence for Islamic economics education rooted in sharia values and responding to the needs of the times.

With a spirit of collaboration, the UMLA Sharia Economics Study Program is ready to actively contribute to the strategic initiatives of APSEI PTMA and continues to strengthen its internal capacity to produce graduates who are not only academically competent but also adaptive in facing global challenges.

Elvina Assadam