Mataram, University of Mataram – University of Mataram (Unram) has established a strategic partnership with Bima College of Economics (STIE) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) held in the Unram Rector’s Meeting Room on Tuesday (28/10).

The MoU signing was attended by the Head of STIE Bima, Firdaus, S.T., M.M.Inov.; Deputy Head I, Nurul Huda, M.M.; Head of LPPM, Sri Ernawati, M.M.; and representatives of STIE Bima lecturers. From Unram, the event was attended by the Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D., along with university leaders.

In his speech, the Chairman of STIE Bima expressed his gratitude and thanks for the opportunity given by Unram to establish a partnership that is expected to benefit both institutions. STIE Bima is one of 13 private universities in NTB. Although it is a small campus, STIE Bima is committed to continuously improving the quality of education and is preparing to transform itself into the Indonesian Institute of Economics.

“This cooperation is an important step for us in our efforts to expand our academic network and strengthen the implementation of the three pillars of higher education, particularly in the fields of education, research, and community service,” said Firdaus.

Meanwhile, the Rector of Unram emphasised that the main value of cooperation between higher education institutions is not merely the signing of documents, but rather its actual implementation in the field. He gave examples of forms of cooperation that can be carried out, including joint Community Service Programmes (KKN) and collaborative research.

“What is more important than the MoU is how this agreement is implemented. We can have many MoUs, but they will only be meaningful if they are implemented and provide real benefits for the academic community,” he said.

The Rector also added that Unram is always open to collaborating with various parties, both public and private universities, as a form of joint contribution to the intellectual development of the nation.

The signing of this MoU is expected to be the beginning of continuous synergy between Unram and STIE Bima in strengthening the quality of higher education in NTB and providing a positive impact on the wider community.