UNU Jogja, MCUT Taiwan Forge Collaboration to Strengthen University Social Responsibility

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) and Ming-Chi University of Technology (MCUT) Taiwan have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to collaborate on university social responsibility (USR) programs.

The MoA was signed by UNU Jogja Faculty of Economics Dean Suhada and MCUT Taiwan representative Jau-Rong Chen at the UNU Jogja campus on Tuesday (Oct. 6, 2026). The collaboration covers participation in USR programs, including research, workshops, seminars, and joint publications.

During the visit, the MCUT delegation also held a meeting and discussion with UNU Jogja leaders and members of the university community. The discussion explored various potential areas of collaboration between UNU Jogja and MCUT Taiwan, particularly within the USR framework as a commitment by higher education institutions to creating positive impacts on communities and the environment.

MCUT Taiwan representative Jau-Rong Chen explained that MCUT had initiated a USR Project titled “Co-op Design: Moving beyond San Chiao Yung to Foster Community Cultural Intelligence and Global Competence.”

The program is supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and is centered in Sanxia District, Taipei City, Taiwan. The MCUT Taiwan USR Project focuses on three key programs: exploring community values through education, building a sustainable culture within communities, and strengthening the local economy.

Chen said the MCUT Taiwan USR Project has been running for three years and has evolved into an international collaboration. A number of institutions from Japan, Germany, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia have joined the program.

“Therefore, we would like to invite UNU Jogja to take part in this USR Project. Many parties have already been involved in the program as part of their community service efforts,” said Chen, who serves as the project director.

According to Chen, the signing of the MoA and the meeting marked a starting point for expanding collaboration with UNU Jogja. The USR Project is expected to serve as a platform for learning and collaboration across nations, bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds.

“We can conduct joint research and involve various communities, stakeholders, and students. Hopefully, through this program, we can help communities create added value and more meaningful social impact,” she said.

UNU Jogja Faculty of Economics Dean Suhada added that, as a Nahdlatul Ulama-based university with millions of members, UNU Jogja has broad access to numerous local communities. This provides an important foundation for participating in and developing the USR Project initiated by MCUT Taiwan.

“Therefore, we hope this collaboration will not stop with the MoA and this meeting, but will grow into a long-term synergy,” said Suhada, who has been appointed by MCUT Taiwan as a project consultant for the USR Project.

In his remarks opening the discussion, UNU Jogja Vice Rector for Business Cooperation and Creative Funding Ian Agisti expressed his appreciation for the visit by the MCUT Taiwan delegation.

“We are truly honored that UNU Jogja has become one of MCUT Taiwan’s destinations, considering that there are hundreds of universities in Yogyakarta,” she said.

She said MCUT Taiwan’s USR Project is highly relevant to the role currently undertaken by Indonesian universities through the “Kampus Berdampak” or Impactful Campus program, under which universities are expected to create positive and meaningful impacts on their surrounding environment. In addition, campus activities are also expected to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To achieve these goals, he emphasized, UNU Jogja remains open to various collaboration opportunities, particularly those aligned with the university’s five faculties and 11 study programs. UNU Jogja also develops various community service programs, particularly through its Social Laboratory (Labsos) scheme, a living lab program whose mission aligns with the USR Project.

“With these potentials, we can pursue various forms of collaboration, such as joint research, faculty and student exchanges, or other forms of cooperation,” she concluded.

The UNU Jogja participants in the discussion included Rector for the 2017–2022 period Purwo Santoso, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies Hamdi Putra Ahmad, Dean of the Faculty of Halal Industry Listiana Hidayati, Director of Labsos and Community Service Joko Susilo, as well as other members of the university community.

From MCUT Taiwan, Jau-Rong Chen was accompanied by USR Project Co-Project Director Yi-Ching Liaw, along with dozens of students from the vocational university, which was established in Taipei City, Taiwan, in 1963. They were warmly welcomed by UNU Jogja students through joint activities designed to introduce the cultural diversity of Yogyakarta.

Following the campus visit, the MCUT Taiwan delegation served as speakers at a discussion forum on “Sustainable Cities and Communities” in Cokrodiningratan Village, Yogyakarta City. The forum was facilitated by UNU Jogja as part of its Social Laboratory program. 

Reporter : Arif