Multimedia Nusantara University Signs a MoU with UNITEN

(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

TANGERANG – Multimedia Nusantara University (UMN) and Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the UMN campus on Monday (14/11/22). This MoU is done to officialize the two universities’ partnership before meeting on the 8th of August 2022.

The MoU signing is represented by UMN and UNITEN representatives. From UMN: Dr. Ninok Leksono (Chancellor) and Prof. Dr. Muliawati Siswanto (Vice Chancellor of Relations and Cooperations). From UNITEN: Prof. Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman (Vice Chancellor) and Ts. Ir. Dr. Azrul Mohd Ariffin (Associate Professor). Other representatives from both universities were also there to witness the signing and join the discussion. 

Also read: UNITEN Malaysia Visits UMN and Discusses Possible Cooperation. 

“We are happy with this visit, even more, happier because everyone is healthy. We understand that UNITEN is the only university in Malaysia specializing in energy. Energy is one of the most important things and is also becoming one of the topics that will be addressed in the G20 summit in Bali,” Ninok said, opening the meeting.

He also mentioned that Indonesia lacks fossil energy, but the demand is high. Due to the climate crisis, it is crucial for the world to move on from fossil fuels and start investing in green and renewable energy. 

“We want to know the stories in Malaysia on how to provide energy for the nation. We also want to know why you have chosen energy as your main interest,” Ninok said.

(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

“I have been to Indonesia many times and this is my first time visiting Tangerang. But when I came to Tangerang, I’m impressed with the development; it feels like a different state. I’ve visited a number of universities in Indonesia but my first impression about UMN is totally different. Wow, this is extraordinary, superb!,” Noor said, in awe with Tangerang and UMN.

Noor explained that UNITEN is a government-linked uni, and it is not purely a private university– the major shareholder is still the government. The university belongs to the utility company of Malaysia, and they only have one utility company in Malaysia for electricity. UNITEN focuses on the energy sector, but they also have a faculty in economy that still centers on energy.

“We believe that energy is becoming more popular especially in the energy transition. People talk about decarbonization, zero carbon, etc. The Malaysian government is also looking into UNITEN as a part of the advisory role for them on how the nation can push for zero carbon in 2050. Malaysia wants to reduce coal usage, so we are moving towards that,” Noor explains regarding the plan for the energy transition in Malaysia.

Regarding the collaboration, UNITEN representatives shared that they aim to internationalize and industrialize UNITEN. Industrializing means they want their graduates to be known by employers to have excellent skills in energy. They also want to internationalize UNITEN so the university can be known in other parts of the world. Hence, they are trying to work around the world to collaborate with universities, UMN being one of them.

“We also welcome you to come to UNITEN anytime; we can host. Anyone from UMN, whether it be the UMN leaders, students, and lecturers, can come. We can make it happen, we can sign the document, but at the ground level, we have to make sure that it is moving,” Noor said.

(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

Talking about the collaboration ideas, Dr. Eng. Niki Prastomo, S.T., M.Sc., the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Informatics, shared that they hope they can move forward regarding the student and lecture exchange. The Engineering & Informatics Faculty at UMN also focuses on computer science, just like UNITEN. Niki hopes they can border the collaboration with the other faculty members from UNITEN.

“In terms of energy in our faculty, we focus more on management energy, especially on our building. So our building is also our lab. Our students provide some kind of analysis of the buildings. We are also open for students or lecturers from UNITEN to come here and analyze the UMN building,” Niki said.

Dr. Ir. P. M. Winarno, M.Kom., the Director of Research and Community Service Institute of UMN, also mentions some energy-related projects UMN is working on: windmill project, solar panel for the UMN building, and research regarding electric cars. Winarno said that UNITEN could collaborate with UMN’s energy-related projects if they wish.

“I think the student exchange project is the easiest way to start. We can identify a few projects in UNITEN and share them with UMN because that can be immediate. UNITEN is also currently focusing on a research project regarding energy that needs international collaborators. We have to identify what project and see what UMN and UNITEN seem fit,” Noor said. UMN and UNITEN can start with two projects they are strong with, which are engineering and computer science.

(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

Niki added another project, which is a smart class. He shared that UMN is looking into digitalizing the class. UNITEN representatives enthusiastically respond to the idea.

“We are also looking forward to collab in online learning. Because I think a lot of universities do this kind of online learning. I think it has to be something unique, or else many student can just learn online on YouTube– so why should they study at universities? This could be something to be researched,” Noor said.

Silvanus Alvin, a lecturer at UMN’s Distant Learning program, shared that since the pandemic, UMN has been developing a website that encourages students to learn online during the pandemic, where people can learn everywhere and anytime. UMN developed two types of online learning: synchronous and asynchronous learning. With asynchronous learning, students learn anytime but in a specific range of periods (e.g., two weeks) to learn by watching videos, discussing in an online forum, taking quizzes, and writing essays. In synchronous learning, students and lecturers conduct face-to-face meetings through Zoom.

“We try to develop emotional engagement (between students, lecturers, and the campus). We would make batches where each lecturer closely monitors 40 students– allowing lecturers to provide advice to all students. UMN’s Distant Learning program doesn’t only focus on the system but the emotional aspect. We have students outside the Java island, therefore, students need to feel like they belong at UMN,” Silvanus shared.

(Doc. Marketing Communications UMN)

There are plenty of great ideas, but both parties are mainly interested in the student exchange program and collaborative research. After the discussion, UMN invited UNITEN visitors to tour the UMN campus to see the various facilities and labs. It is hoped that the collaboration ideas discussed in the meeting will be realized soon!

By Levina Chrestella Theodora

Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika | Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara. www.umn.ac.id