USK Appointed Permanent Secretariat of IMT-GT UNINET

Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) has been officially appointed as the Permanent Secretariat of the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle University Network (IMT-GT UNINET) during the 5th IMT-GT UNINET Council Meeting, held at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Medan, on 30–31 July 2026. The appointment was universally endorsed by all 36 member universities of the network.

The designation recognizes USK’s growing leadership in fostering regional academic cooperation and reflects the confidence of IMT-GT UNINET members in the university’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and advancing higher education across the sub-region.

Representing USK at the council meeting were Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari, S.Kep., M.Si., FRSPH, and Head of the Global Engagement Office (GEO), Prof. Syamsidik, S.T., M.Sc., who participated in a series of strategic discussions on the network’s future direction.

As the Permanent Secretariat, USK will serve as the central coordinating body for IMT-GT UNINET, providing ongoing administrative and operational support while facilitating communication among member universities. The university will also oversee the implementation of the network’s strategic initiatives to enhance collaboration and ensure the successful delivery of joint programs.

The official endorsement ceremony was led by Prof. Datuk Shahrin bin Sahib, Chairman of IMT-GT UNINET and Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia. During the ceremony, representatives of USK and Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand’s National Coordinator, signed a joint commitment document to strengthen the governance and long-term sustainability of the network.

“This endorsement is not only a recognition of USK’s role but also a responsibility to further strengthen higher education collaboration across the IMT-GT region. USK is committed to creating more international opportunities for students and the academic community through sustainable and impactful programs,” said Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari.

She noted that USK’s priorities as Permanent Secretariat will include advancing the UNINET Strategic Action Plan (USAP) through collaborative initiatives in education, research, innovation, and student capacity development. The role is also expected to expand opportunities for academic mobility, leadership development, and collaborative research across the region.

“This responsibility also opens wider opportunities for international mobility, leadership development, and collaborative research for the USK academic community at both the regional and global levels,” she added.

USK’s appointment represents a significant milestone in the university’s internationalization agenda and highlights its growing contribution to regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. By serving as the Permanent Secretariat, USK will continue to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) through enhanced higher education collaboration, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by promoting research and innovation, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through stronger regional and international partnerships that contribute to sustainable development.