Medan, Indonesia, August 12, 2025 – The Master’s Program in English Education (MTBI), Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FITK) at Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara, has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India. This milestone partnership was made possible through the initiative of Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, Ph.D., Head of the MTBI Program, and is expected to open new doors for joint research, academic exchanges, and collaborative teaching programs between the two institutions.
The MoU signing Process between MTBI and Christ College
The signing ceremony was held at the FITK auditorium and attended by the faculty leadership and study program coordinators from across FITK. Christ College was represented by a distinguished academic delegation led by Dr. K.J. Vargheese, a senior faculty member and respected university leader known for his extensive research in English literature, postcolonial studies, and cross-cultural communication. Dr. Vargheese has published extensively, supervised numerous postgraduate theses, and has been a driving force behind several international academic collaborations for Christ College.
The Dean of FITK, Prof. Dr. Tien Rafida, M.Hum, welcomed the Christ College delegation and signed the MoU on behalf of FITK.
“This partnership reflects our shared vision of academic excellence and global cooperation. We look forward to building a mutually beneficial relationship that enhances both our institutions,” said Dr. Dalimunte.
Maslathif Dwi Purnomo, Ph.D., the initiator of the collaboration, also signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) with Christ College’s representative, further detailing the specific activities and programs to be carried out under the MoU.
“Our aim is not only to formalize cooperation on paper but to make it a living, dynamic partnership—one where our students and faculty can directly benefit from cultural exchange, collaborative research, and shared teaching experiences,” said Dr. Maslathif.
“This is a step toward making MTBI and FITK part of a larger global academic network, preparing our graduates to compete and contribute at an international level.”
Group photo after the MoU signing between FITK and Christ College
In his remarks, Dr. K.J. Vargheese expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration:
“We at Christ College believe in the power of cross-border partnerships to broaden academic horizons. Working with UINSU offers us the opportunity to learn from each other’s cultural and educational contexts, and to create new knowledge together.”
The event concluded with a ceremonial exchange of tokens of appreciation and group photographs, marking the beginning of what both institutions anticipate will be a long and fruitful collaboration.
