Bandung, September 2, 2026 — The School of Architecture, Planning, and Policy Development (SAPPK), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), and the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Almuslim (Umuslim), Aceh, have formalized a five-year strategic partnership to expand collaboration in education, research, and community engagement. The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Cooperation Agreement (KKS) on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in the Multi-transport Meeting Room, Labtek IXA Building, Sugijanto Soegijoko, ITB Campus, Bandung. The agreement was signed by Prof. Dr. Eng. Puspita Dirgahayani, S.T., M.Eng., Dean of SAPPK ITB, and Dr. Muhammad Yanis, S.T., M.T., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Almuslim. The five-year partnership, covering 2026–2031, is intended to connect the academic expertise and research capacity of both institutions while generating tangible benefits for students, faculty members, and local communities.

Strengthening Tridharma Collaboration

During the signing ceremony, Prof. Puspita Dirgahayani expressed her optimism that the partnership would create meaningful opportunities for collaboration across the Tridharma of Higher Education—education, research, and community service. She emphasized the importance of developing a strong institutional relationship that can generate sustained academic and social impacts. Dr. Muhammad Yanis likewise highlighted the importance of strengthening the academic and research relationship between Universitas Almuslim and ITB. The collaboration is expected to expand research opportunities, improve academic capacity, and establish a stronger platform for knowledge exchange between the two institutions.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The cooperation framework covers several areas designed to promote long-term academic and institutional development, including (1) Academic exchange and Tridharma activities: joint guest lectures, workshops, visiting lecturer programs, and student exchanges supported by appropriate academic credit recognition; (2) Collaborative studios and research: joint studio activities, laboratory collaboration, research projects, and scientific publications in areas including architecture, urban and regional planning, civil engineering, and environmental policy; (3) Faculty capacity development: academic mentoring, research and proposal-writing workshops, and opportunities to support research-based doctoral education for Universitas Almuslim faculty members; and (4) Community service and village development: collaborative programs addressing regional planning, infrastructure, sanitation, environmental management, and climate adaptation.

Connecting Academic Expertise with Local Needs

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine SAPPK ITB’s academic and research expertise with Universitas Almuslim’s regional knowledge and community networks in Aceh. This combination is expected to support research and educational activities that are both academically rigorous and responsive to local development challenges. Through sustained collaboration over the next five years, SAPPK ITB and Universitas Almuslim aim to expand opportunities for academic exchange, strengthen research capacity, and develop community-based initiatives that contribute to sustainable regional development. The agreement marks an important step toward strengthening inter-university collaboration in Indonesia. It demonstrates the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing higher education while delivering meaningful contributions to society.