KISE—As a concrete step toward expanding its global academic network, UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur (UPNVJT) has officially established a partnership with De Montfort University, UK. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions was signed in the Arjuno Room of the UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur Rectorate Building on February 21, 2025. This collaboration opens significant opportunities in various academic aspects, including student exchange programs, joint research, and potential dual degree programs.
Key representatives from both institutions attended the event. De Montfort University was represented by Prof. Shushma Patel, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Artificial Intelligence, and Dr. Dani Harmanto, Associate Professor in Aeronautical Engineering from the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Media. On the UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur side, the event was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Akhmad Fauzi, MMT., IPU, alongside Vice Rectors 1 to 4, deans of all faculties, representatives from LPPM and LP3M, as well as the head and staff of the International Office.
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Ir. Akhmad Fauzi emphasized that this partnership is a significant milestone for UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur’s internationalization efforts. This collaboration primarily focuses on structuring a dual degree framework and ensuring the UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur curriculum aligns with De Montfort University’s academic standards. This initiative aims to create a seamless transition for students pursuing dual degree opportunities and strengthen their experience in the global academic environment. Beyond dual degree opportunities, this partnership also creates opportunities for research projects across various disciplines. Both universities are working to synchronize their curricula, credit transfer systems, and academic policies to facilitate this.
One of the key discussions revolved around how to align course structures and credit recognition between UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur and De Montfort University. Since each university has its own credit system and academic framework, careful planning is needed to ensure that students can complete their degrees efficiently without losing credits or facing academic gaps. This is particularly complex for engineering programs, where accreditation requirements, research focuses, and technical competencies often differ significantly. While fields such as business, social sciences, and IT may have a smoother process, engineering programs require deeper coordination to maintain academic integrity and professional standards.
After the formal signing ceremony, the De Montfort University delegations were accompanied to explore UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur’s research facilities, laboratories, and academic infrastructure. This tour assessed the university’s readiness to support joint research projects and future dual degree implementations. The delegations also discussed potential research collaborations that could be initiated in the future.
With this partnership, UPN “Veteran” Jawa Timur reaffirms its commitment to expand its global presence and accelerate internationalization. The university is taking significant milestones toward becoming a globally competitive institution by aligning its curriculum with international standards. This collaboration with De Montfort University strengthens academic ties and paves the way for future innovations in education and research that will benefit students, faculty, and the broader academic community.
Created by Davina Salfitrianda (IO UPNVJT: Communication and Creative Media Division)
Edited by KISE