East Java Partners with Universiti Malaya on HR

RRI.CO.ID,  Surabaya - In a strategic move to position East Java Province as a cornerstone of international talent development, Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has initiated a high-level academic collaboration with Universiti Malaya. The partnership seeks to bridge the gap between regional potential and global standards by fostering a cross-border exchange of expertise and human resources.

Governor Khofifah welcomed a delegation from Malaysia’s premier university during their "Malang Intellectual Journey" outbound program at the Grahadi State Building on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. During the event, she emphasized that international synergy is no longer optional but a fundamental necessity for modern governance.

She framed the visit as a gateway to a more profound, multifaceted relationship between the province and Malaysia.

“I hope this visit provides a memorable experience, broadens horizons, and marks the beginning of a closer, more productive, and sustainable cooperation between East Java and Malaysia,” said the Governor, as quoted by Antara.

Governor Khofifah’s vision extends beyond traditional classroom exchanges by inviting the Malaysian academic community to explore various collaborative avenues. These partnerships range from spiritual outreach and economic ventures to the preservation of cultural heritage.

According to the Governor, the influx of international perspectives is vital for the younger generation to build global networks and navigate the complexities of an interconnected world.

“The East Java Provincial Administration warmly welcomes the students and lecturers from Universiti Malaya. I hope this friendship can continue in other formats, be it through spiritual outreach, economic sectors, education, culture, and beyond. This program not only strengthens networks between students and universities, but also serves as a medium for cross-cultural learning and the exchange of global perspectives,” she added.

The Governor leveraged the meeting to showcase East Java's formidable demographic and economic profile. Currently home to nearly 15 percent of Indonesia's total population, the province boasts a dominant productive-age demographic, which Khofifah views as a critical engine for long-term national growth.

The economic data supports her confidence. In the third quarter of 2025, East Java’s economy grew by 5.22 percent, significantly outperforming the national average of 5.04 percent.

The province stands as the second-largest economic contributor to Java, holding a 25.65 percent market share. With a 14.54 percent contribution to the national GDP, it offers a robust industrial and logistical ecosystem.

“East Java has great potential as a motor for national economic growth. This potential is supported by a strategic geographic location, increasingly connected infrastructure, and a continuously evolving industrial and logistics ecosystem,” explained the Governor.

Beyond figures and infrastructure, she highlighted the province’s social foundation, specifically the values of religious moderation that underpin its stability. She noted that five of the nine "Wali Songo" (saints of Islam in Java) are buried in East Java, including Sunan Ampel and Sunan Giri, who pioneered the moderate Islamic teachings that remain central to the region's identity.

“Five of the nine Saints who taught this moderate Islam are in East Java, who are Sunan Ampel, Sunan Giri, Maulana Malik Ibrahim, Sunan Drajat, and Sunan Bonang,” she noted.

She pointed out that shared cultural and historical roots between Indonesia and Malaysia provide a unique social capital for future cooperation.

Representing the visiting delegation, Muhammad Hazim bin Mohd Azhar, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Usuluddin and Dawah at Universiti Malaya, expressed deep gratitude for the reception. He praised the Governor’s leadership and her commitment to the welfare of her citizens.

“As a representative of Universiti Malaya, I am very appreciative and thankful to the Governor. May Allah elevate her status. I believe the Governor is a blessing bestowed upon the people of East Java,” remarked Hazim. ***