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The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) and Universitas Almuslim of Indonesia are moving beyond polite academic ties. Leaders from both institutions signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on July 28, 2025 that sets plans in motion for student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, joint academic projects, and postgraduate lectures, among other partnership opportunities.
The Universitas Almuslim delegation visited the Office of the President and the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), where discussions zeroed in on shared interests in humanities, global relations, and community-driven research.
The visiting team included Dr. Marwan, M.Pd., Rector of Universitas Almuslim; Al Furqan, S.Pd., Director for Program Development and International Affairs; Irni Aryani, SKM, M.Ling., the Rector’s wife; Dr. Diana M.A., Coordinator for Cooperation and Global Relations; Dr. Ahmad Muzammil Mohamed Shapawi, AMP., S.Ag., M.Ag., Ph.D., Head of the Department of International Affairs of the Institute Kemahiran Islam Darul Ridzuan (Malaysia); and Abdul Jalal Pandi Ampuan, Magister Alhafizh, Universitas Almuslim Coordinator in the Philippines.
USM officials led by Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, USM President and Dr. Leorence Tandog, Vice President for Academic Affairs welcomed the visitors. Joining them were Prof. Bryan Bretaña, Director of the Office of International Affairs; Dr. Leonard Paleta, Director for Instruction; Dean Marlyn Resurreccion of the College of Arts and Social Sciences; Dr. Erwin Mallo, Chair of the Department of Social Science and Philosophy; and Prof. Frans Bert Gomez, along with other faculty members from the college.
The LOI identifies focus areas: student mobility, faculty collaboration, research linkages, and postgraduate academic exchanges. But talks also opened doors for more: co-hosted conferences, short-term immersions, and joint community extension projects.
“We emphasize diversity, and value the tri people, we work together as one family because we are one USM. Everyone deserves access to education – that’s our mandate,” said Dr. Pimentel during the visit.
Both sides are forming working groups to map out specific programs and timelines. The partnership signals a clear move, toward more active, global, and engaged education for both institutions.
