As the leading institution, Uttara University expanded its international academic alliances at the prestigious 5th Annual Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026. Held from June 22–25 at the Indonesia Convention Center in Jakarta and organized by Times Higher Education, this premier event united global academic leaders, policymakers and researchers to drive sustainability through higher education, offering an ideal platform for the university to drastically scale its global footprint.

The delegation team representing Uttara University (UU) included:

•  Abid Aziz – Honorable Member, Board of Trustees
• Sheikh Yasha Shan – Director, Office of the Institutional Ranking Cell

The delegation actively engaged in numerous meetings, networking sessions and academic dialogues to foster cross-border cooperation and elevate the university’s global standing.

During the four-day congress, Uttara University successfully solidified its commitment to global academic excellence by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with a diverse cohort of 22 premier international institutions.The comprehensive scope of cooperation across these agreements focuses heavily on Student and Faculty Exchange through semester-long placements, short-term academic programs, and the creation of dual-degree pathways. To enhance teaching excellence, Faculty Development will be driven by visiting scholar initiatives, guest lectures, collaborative supervision and joint curriculum design. Additionally, the partnerships prioritize Research & Publications through co-authored studies, collaborative research projects, and access to shared facilities. A vibrant knowledge ecosystem will be sustained via Academic Events, including co-hosted seminars, conferences, and training workshops. Finally, flexibility is maintained for additional initiatives, allowing both sides to develop future collaborative ventures upon mutual written agreement.

The newly signed partner institutions include:

• Universitas Brawijaya (Indonesia): Consistently ranked among the top elite public research universities in Indonesia, boasting one of the largest and most comprehensive campus infrastructures in East Java, Indonesia.  
• Durban University of Technology (South Africa): Recognized as a premier university of technology in South Africa, celebrated for its strong institutional focus on technological innovation and entrepreneurship. 
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan (Indonesia): Based in the cultural capital of Yogyakarta, it excels nationally in applied sciences, pharmacy, and amateur astronomy/space research.
• Universitas Negeri Padang (Indonesia): One of the oldest and largest teacher-training and educational heritage universities in Sumatra, holding a massive legacy in producing professional educators. 
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya (Indonesia): Features a distinct academic reputation for applied research innovations and community empowerment programs driven by urban digital solutions.
• Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) (Philippines): A leading institution in the Eastern Visayas region, renowned for its impactful research innovations in agricultural sciences, marine technology, and engineering.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Ponorogo (Indonesia): Distinctly unique for actively integrating local heritage preservation, such as the famous Reog Ponorogo folk culture, directly into its higher education curriculum.
• Universitas Pendidikan Muhammadiyah (UNIMUDA) Sorong (Indonesia): Serves as a landmark symbol of educational progress in Papua, receiving national acclaim for driving digital literacy among indigenous communities.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau (Indonesia): Ranked among the fastest-growing private universities in Central Sumatra, seamlessly blending modern technological training with Islamic values.
• Universitas Islam Ahmad Dahlan (Indonesia): Highly specialized in integrating modern scientific disciplines with Islamic jurisprudence and Sharia economics in South Sulawesi.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar (Indonesia): Stands as one of the largest Muhammadiyah higher education hubs in Eastern Indonesia, highly regarded for its stellar medical and agricultural programs.
• University of the Visayas (Philippines): Holds historical distinction as the very first private university established in the Visayas region, with a deep legacy of producing top political and legal leaders in the Philippines.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta (UMJ) (Indonesia): Holds historical prestige as the oldest Muhammadiyah higher education institution in Indonesia, serving as a pioneer in private Islamic higher education since 1955.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton (Indonesia): Widely recognized for its crucial role in developing human resources across Southeast Sulawesi’s archipelago, with key strengths in social sciences and marine studies.
• University of Eastern Philippines (Philippines): The first state university in the Samar province, serving as a historic pioneer for public higher education and multidisciplinary research in the eastern Philippines.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang (Indonesia): Located adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Borobudur temple site, this institution excels in industrial technology development anchored in local cultural wisdom.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya (Indonesia): The leading private university in Central Kalimantan, heavily dedicated to ecological research, environmental preservation, and peatland conservation.
• Cavite State University (Philippines): Acclaimed nationally in the Philippines as the premier “Center of Development” for coffee research and modern agricultural engineering.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Jember (Indonesia): Holds exceptional research strengths in sustainable agricultural practices and agribusiness development across the eastern region of Java.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang (Indonesia): One of the largest universities by student enrollment in the Banten province, highly focused on vocational training and business economics.
• Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (Philippines): A highly regarded state-run polytechnic in the Ilocos region, renowned for its intensive programs in vocational training, fisheries, and creative industries.
• Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang (Indonesia): The largest private university in South Sumatra, boasting top-tier academic faculties in law, medicine, and civil engineering.

Beyond signing new agreements, the Uttara University delegation utilized the congress to strengthen and nurture relationships with several existing and highly regarded global partner institutions. The team held productive high-level discussions with representatives from premier institutions across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Australia and North America.

The team engaged in fruitful dialogues with the Rotterdam School of Management (Erasmus University), Nottingham University Malaysia, Macquarie University, and the University of Northern British Columbia. These talks explored advanced strategic pathways for high-impact research collaborations and mutual academic advancements.

Closer to home, relationships were reinforced with leading regional establishments, including Universitas Indonesia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, City University of Macau, Binus University and the Hong Kong Education University. Discussions focused heavily on expanding student-centric programs and launching joint digital learning platforms.

Furthermore, Uttara University extended its networking reach by connecting with prominent entities such as the British Council and the UNHCR, alongside elite institutions like King Faisal University, Abu Dhabi University, Prince Sultan University, Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz University, Sharda University, Mapua University, German University of Technology, IPB University, IIUM, St. Dominic College of Asia, University of Sulaimani, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), Universitas Terbuka, TIIAME National Research University, Universitas Andalas and Telkom University.

These comprehensive dialogues have successfully established a foundation for potential future MoUs, faculty development pipelines, and cross-cultural academic events that will greatly benefit the student body and faculty of Uttara University in the coming years.