UNIMALNEWS | Kazan - A historic relationship has been established between Universitas Malikussaleh and one of the higher education institutions in Kazan, Russia, namely Kazan State Power Engineering University (KSPEU).

This activity took place on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. The cooperation is intended to facilitate collaborative activities and exchanges between students and lecturers, as well as scholarship programs and the transfer of knowledge and technology.

This activity was conducted in collaboration with Universitas Syiah Kuala and Universitas Teuku Umar. The event's protocol was managed by the Wali Nanggroe of Aceh and was directly led by PYM Tgk. Malik Mahmud Al Haythar.

The delegation from Aceh was greeted with performances of traditional Tartar dances. This was followed by a tribute to the people of Tatarstan who participated in the revolution to form the Soviet Union.

In his speech, Tgk. Malik Mahmud Al Haythar said that collaboration with state universities in the Republic of Tatarstan is indicative of historical and political parallels between Aceh and Tatarstan. The Republic of Tatarstan is one of the autonomous regions in Russia that has been granted comprehensive authority over the management of its own government, and has consequently demonstrated considerable success. The city of Kazan itself is the third largest city in Russia, preceded only by Moscow and St. Petersburg. He further stated, "Aceh has the opportunity to develop effective management strategies for special autonomy, including the establishment of collaborative educational initiatives with foreign institutions."

Concurrently, the rector of Kazan State Power Engineering University (KSPEU), Edvard Abdullazyanov, conveyed his appreciation to the delegation of higher education institutions from Aceh for their initiative in establishing a collaborative relationship with his university. He noted that the initiatives undertaken by the Wali Nanggroe of Aceh since 2023 have begun to yield results, as evidenced by the current achievements.

In his speech, Abdullazyanov noted that in the Republic of Tatarstan, Islam, Judaism, and Orthodox Christianity have existed side by side for centuries, demonstrating a long history of coexistence and mutual respect. The university also fosters an environment of tolerance, having been established during the Cold War era in 1968 and currently comprising five faculties (institutes) and thirty study programs, primarily related to electrical and mechanical engineering. Additionally, the university has formed collaborative partnerships with numerous national and international industries, including Schneider, Siemens, Bosch, and others. This has positioned the university as a significant laboratory center for the advancement of renewable and electric energy in Russia.

In his remarks, Berlian Helmy, Deputy Head of the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow, expressed gratitude to the Wali Nanggroe of Aceh for initiating this cooperation. "We are honored to have been greeted on this occasion by representatives of the KSPEU and the Tatarstan government. It is our hope that next year will bring an increase in the number of students studying in Kazan," he stated.

In a recent interview, Prof. Dr. Herman Fithra, ASEAN Eng, Rector of Universitas Malikussaleh, articulated the institution's unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration with academic partners in Kazan, particularly with KSPEU. "Additionally, we are currently developing curricula in the field of renewable energy and conducting research projects pertaining to biomass energy," he stated.

His aspiration is that a greater number of Acehnese students will pursue their studies at KSPEU, not only at the master's level but also at the undergraduate level. This will contribute to the emergence of a new generation of skilled professionals in the field of electrical engineering, capable of driving innovation and technological advancement within Aceh. This constitutes an additional independent initiative pertaining to the development of the Merdeka Belajar, Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program. "This university is also accommodating to Muslim students, offering a halal cafeteria and comfortable dormitories facing the Volga River, the largest river in Russia," he concluded with enthusiasm.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the relevant parties. Additionally, there was a detailed examination of advancements in electrical technology and its industrialization phases, including an in-depth analysis of electric robotic motor science and hydro energy at KSPEU [tkf/sis]