PURWOKERTO — In a strategic effort to enhance the safety and readiness of the Indonesian workforce, Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto (UMP) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Ministry for the Protection of Migrant Workers (Kementerian P2MI RI). The signing ceremony took place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Ukhuwah Islamiyah Auditorium on the UMP campus.
This formal agreement aims to strengthen cross-sector collaboration in education, research, and the promotion of secure, well-structured overseas employment opportunities. The comprehensive scope of the partnership includes improving safe migration literacy, mentoring prospective workers, providing competency training, and conducting joint research focused on the protection and empowerment of Indonesian migrant workers.
The event was attended by top university officials and representatives from the Ministry, including Dwi Setiawan Susanto, Director General of the Promotion of Overseas Job Opportunities (P3KLN).
UMP Rector, Prof. Dr. Jebul Suroso, emphasized that this synergy is a direct reflection of the university’s commitment to addressing critical national issues.
“UMP views the subject of migrant workers not merely as a matter of job placement, but as a complex landscape involving legal protection, skill enhancement, and the empowerment of migrant families. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide an academic role that is solution-oriented and directly impacts the community,” Prof. Jebul stated.
He further noted that higher education institutions bear a moral and intellectual responsibility to ensure that citizens working abroad are equipped with the necessary competencies, legal literacy, and adequate protection. “Campuses must be present in handling strategic national issues. This synergy is a concrete step for higher education to help strengthen a safe and dignified migration ecosystem,” he added.
Representing the Ministry, Dwi Setiawan Susanto highlighted the critical need for academic partnerships to boost the quality and competitiveness of the Indonesian workforce on a global scale.
“We require the backing of academia to broaden public education regarding legal, safe, and carefully planned overseas employment. Universities like UMP possess the proven capability to cultivate superior human resources ready to compete globally,” Dwi Setiawan explained.
He stressed that promoting overseas opportunities must go hand-in-hand with skill certification and a solid understanding of international regulations, ensuring that Indonesian migrant workers are not just laborers, but highly professional ambassadors for the nation.
Looking ahead, the partnership is expected to pave the way for targeted internship programs, language and cultural training tailored to specific destination countries, and in-depth collaborative research on migrant worker dynamics and protection policies. Through this MoU, UMP once again reaffirms its active role in building strategic cross-sector collaborations to develop superior and globally competitive Indonesian human resources.(shan)