PP Muhammadiyah & SBPAC Thailand sign MoU for scholarships & academic ties, advancing progressive & moderate Islamic diplomacy.
JAKARTA, KalderaNews.com – The Central Board of Muhammadiyah (Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) of Thailand on Monday (10/8) at the PP Muhammadiyah Office in Jakarta.
This strategic step serves as a foundation for deepening ties between the two entities, specifically in the educational sector through structured scholarship programs for the people of Southern Thailand.
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SBPAC is the official administrative agency of the Thai government mandated with overseeing development, coordination, and community affairs across Thailand’s southern border provinces, namely Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla, where the majority of the population comprises Malay Muslims.
Flexible Scholarship Framework via Universities and Islamic Boarding Schools
Through this agreement, prospective students and academics from Southern Thailand will gain access to study opportunities across Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah Higher Education institutions (PTMA).
Prof. Syafiq Mughni, Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, explained that technical execution will be coordinated directly by the Council for Higher Education, Research, and Development (Diktilitbang) alongside the network of Muhammadiyah universities.
Flexible Financial Support
The exact level and scope of scholarship coverage will not be set unilaterally by PP Muhammadiyah. Instead, funding parameters will be tailored proportionally with host universities:
- Customized Funding: Scholarship coverage will be aligned with tuition structures and available resources at each respective university.
- Boarding School Access: Beyond higher education, Muhammadiyah is also opening doors for youth from Southern Thailand to study within its network of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren).
“Once referred to PP Muhammadiyah or specific Muhammadiyah universities, the exact amount of the scholarship and percentage of financial assistance required will be discussed directly with the host university where the student will study,” noted Prof. Syafiq Mughni.
Muhammadiyah’s Long-Standing Legacy in Southern Thailand
This international collaboration does not mark Muhammadiyah’s first foray into the region, but rather amplifies a social-religious footprint built over many years. Anchored by the establishment of the Muhammadiyah Association of Thailand headquartered in Yala, the organization has consistently provided community-based educational services.
This bond has grown stronger through university outreach programs, where Indonesian students are deployed to Southern Thailand for Community Service Learning (KKN), delivering measurable community impact.
This cross-border community service initiative fosters mutual understanding and two-way benefits. For Indonesian students, immersing themselves in Muslim communities across Pattani and neighboring areas offers invaluable cross-cultural exposure, Thai language practice, and broader social perspectives.
Meanwhile, local residents gain fresh educational insights, strengthened community bonds, and deeper ties of Malay-Muslim brotherhood.
Exploring Short-Term Staff Exchange Schemes
Beyond the core scholarship framework, both parties discussed developing a short-term staff exchange program lasting one to two months.
This initiative is designed to offer hands-on work experience while deepening institutional understanding among administrative staff from Southern Thailand, as well as faculty and educators within Muhammadiyah.
The proposed exchange model follows a fair shared-responsibility funding approach:
- Funding Allocation: The sending institution covers international airfare, while living expenses, local transport, and accommodation during the program are hosted by the receiving institution in the destination country.
Promoting Progressive and Moderate (Wasathiyah) Islamic Values
Beyond administrative cooperation, this partnership serves as an effective conduit for sharing Progressive Islam (Islam Berkemajuan)—an Islamic intellectual tradition centered on moderation (wasathiyah), rationality, democracy, and constructive modern development.
Utilizing a wise (hikmah) and non-extremist approach, these core values align closely with the social and religious dynamics of Muslim communities in Southern Thailand.
Prof. Syafiq Mughni expressed optimism that Muhammadiyah’s open and forward-looking approach will resonate strongly with local aspirations.
“I am confident that the vision of Islam sought by the people of Southern Thailand aligns with the principles championed by Muhammadiyah—an open, rational, democratic organization dedicated to progress,” affirmed Prof. Syafiq.
The signing of the MoU between PP Muhammadiyah and SBPAC Thailand marks a meaningful chapter in cross-border educational and humanitarian diplomacy.
This strategic alliance demonstrates how educational empowerment can transcend national boundaries, delivering tangible, long-term benefits to communities in both Indonesia and Southern Thailand.
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