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Leadership transitions within higher education institutions affiliated with major religious organizations often serve as pivotal moments for strategic realignment, institutional growth, and community impact. This dynamic was underscored recently in Tangerang, where the Central Executive Board of Muhammadiyah formally inaugurated Dr. Warsito as the new Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang (UMT) for the 2025–2029 operational term. The solemn inauguration ceremony, held on Friday, September 25, brought together academic leaders, organizational figures, and institutional stakeholders to witness the dawn of a new administrative chapter for the university.

The event, however, carried profound emotional resonance alongside its administrative significance. During the proceedings, leadership figures and attendees paused to honor the indelible legacy of the late Desri Arwen, the preceding rector whose unexpected passing in August 2026 left a void within the academic community. The solemn remembrance set a tone of continuity, reverence, and heightened responsibility for the incoming administration, reminding stakeholders of the high standards set by past leadership.

Addressing the academic assembly, Kiai Saad Ibrahim, a prominent leader of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board, delivered a comprehensive address outlining the core philosophical, operational, and strategic expectations for Dr. Warsito. The directives emphasized the harmonization of institutional legacy with aggressive modernization, collaborative advancement within the broader network of Muhammadiyah higher education institutions, and an unwavering commitment to the foundational educational ethos established by the organization’s founder, K.H. Ahmad Dahlan.

Institutional Transition and Honoring a Legacy

The path to the 2025–2029 administrative term at Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang was marked by both anticipation and profound reflection. Following the unexpected passing of former Rector Desri Arwen in August 2026, the university faced the critical task of maintaining operational stability while initiating a structured succession process. Academic governance requires seamless continuity to ensure that ongoing research initiatives, student enrollment pipelines, and accreditation milestones proceed without disruption.

During the inauguration ceremony, Kiai Saad Ibrahim dedicated a substantial portion of his address to paying tribute to the late Desri Arwen. He offered formal prayers for the departed leader, asking the Almighty to grant him eternal peace, divine forgiveness, and boundless mercy, while extending heartfelt condolences and patience to the grieving family. Kiai Saad noted that Arwen’s visionary leadership laid a robust foundation upon which the current administration must build.

"The core directive for the new rector is to extract maximum value from the visionary initiatives left behind by our late brother," Kiai Saad stated during his address. "This involves faithfully continuing the commendable programs and extraordinary achievements of the previous period, and subsequently elevating them to even greater heights in the future."

This emphasis on continuity serves as a strategic buffer against the institutional turbulence that frequently accompanies leadership changes in higher education. By positioning Dr. Warsito’s administration as a natural evolution of Arwen’s unfinished blueprint, Muhammadiyah leadership aims to preserve institutional memory while clearing the path for contemporary pedagogical innovations.

The Philosophical and Historical Roots of Muhammadiyah Higher Education

To fully contextualize the expectations placed upon Dr. Warsito, Kiai Saad expanded his address into a broader discourse on the philosophy of leadership within Islam and the historical genesis of Muhammadiyah educational institutions. In Islamic scholarly tradition, executive leadership—particularly within institutions dedicated to intellectual development—is viewed as a direct continuation of the prophetic mission. This sacred duty encompasses two primary responsibilities: preserving the integrity of religious values (hifdz ad-din) and managing worldly affairs with justice and efficacy (siyasah dunyawiyah).

Applying this framework to modern academia, Kiai Saad stressed that Muhammadiyah universities bear a unique obligation to construct curricula that seamlessly integrate profound spiritual principles with rigorous empirical sciences. This dual mandate traces its lineage directly back to K.H. Ahmad Dahlan, the visionary founder of Muhammadiyah, who revolutionized indigenous education in the early 20th century by dismantling the artificial dichotomy between religious instruction and secular sciences.

Kiai Saad reminded the audience that K.H. Ahmad Dahlan’s pioneering schools did not limit their syllabi exclusively to traditional disciplines such as Quranic recitation and Hadith scholarship. Instead, the curriculum was deliberately expanded to include modern subjects like arithmetic, geography, and contemporary sciences. This progressive pedagogical philosophy was designed to produce graduates who were not only spiritually grounded but also intellectually equipped to navigate and solve the complex socio-economic challenges of a rapidly changing world.

"This foundational spirit must be perpetually nurtured and expanded across all tiers of Muhammadiyah educational infrastructure, culminating in our higher education institutions," Kiai Saad explained. For Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang, this historical mandate translates into a continuous drive for academic quality, ensuring that modernization does not outpace ethical grounding.

Current Institutional Profile and Strategic Assets of UMT

As Dr. Warsito assumes the responsibilities of the rectorate, he inherits an institution characterized by substantial scale and demonstrated academic capacity. Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang has steadily evolved into a prominent regional center of higher learning, boasting a comprehensive academic portfolio designed to meet the demands of the contemporary labor market.

According to institutional data highlighted during the inauguration, UMT currently oversees a diverse array of 36 distinct study programs spanning various faculties, including engineering, economics, education, social sciences, and health disciplines. Among these academic offerings, a remarkable milestone has been achieved: 15 study programs have attained the coveted "Unggul" (Superior) accreditation status from national accreditation bodies. This elite designation reflects rigorous standards in faculty qualifications, curriculum design, research output, and student support services.

These quantitative achievements serve multiple strategic functions. Internally, they validate the institutional quality of education provided to thousands of enrolled students, enhancing graduate employability and institutional reputation. Externally, this robust accreditation profile positions UMT as a regional anchor institution within the broader network of higher education providers affiliated with Muhammadiyah.

However, Kiai Saad cautioned against institutional complacency or insular thinking. He emphasized that the accumulation of academic excellence and accreditation milestones should not be leveraged solely for competitive advantage or self-congratulation within the confines of the Tangerang campus. Instead, the central leadership articulated a vision of collaborative upliftment, wherein well-resourced institutions actively assist their sister campuses facing developmental hurdles.

The Imperative of Inter-Institutional Solidarity

One of the most salient themes of the inauguration address was the call for systemic solidarity across the extensive network of Muhammadiyah universities, colleges, and polytechnics nationwide. Muhammadiyah operates one of the largest non-governmental educational networks in Indonesia, comprising dozens of higher education institutions distributed across diverse geographic regions with varying degrees of economic and infrastructural maturity.

Kiai Saad articulated a philosophy of collective progression, arguing that true institutional greatness is measured not by isolated triumphs, but by the systemic elevation of the entire network. He challenged the newly inaugurated rector and the broader UMT academic community to look beyond their immediate campus boundaries and extend technical, managerial, and academic assistance to smaller or developing Muhammadiyah campuses that require institutional strengthening.

"A truly great achievement is realized when we not only think about the advancement of our own university, but also extend our strategic vision to support other universities, particularly those within the Muhammadiyah network," Kiai Saad asserted. He reiterated the organization’s overarching egalitarian philosophy in education: "We do not wish to see merely one or two institutions thrive while others lag behind. Our collective aspiration is for all of them to achieve excellence."

This directive carries significant implications for higher education governance in Indonesia. By fostering intra-network collaboration, resource sharing, faculty exchanges, and joint research initiatives, institutions like UMT can act as catalysts for regional educational equity. It mitigates the disparities that often emerge between urban-based universities with robust revenue streams and rural or newly established campuses operating under resource constraints.

Strategic Outlook for the 2025–2029 Term

The assumption of office by Dr. Warsito arrives at a critical juncture for Indonesian higher education. Universities nationwide are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape defined by digital transformation, the integration of artificial intelligence in pedagogy, evolving regulatory frameworks set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, and heightened competition in the global knowledge economy.

For UMT, the strategic roadmap for the 2025–2029 term will likely necessitate a multi-pronged approach based on the directives issued during the ceremony. Key operational priorities for the new administration are anticipated to include:

1. Curriculum Modernization and Digital Integration: Building upon the philosophical foundation laid by K.H. Ahmad Dahlan, the university must continue updating its 36 study programs to reflect the realities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring that graduates possess both high-level digital literacy and strong ethical frameworks.

2. Accreditation Enhancement: With 15 programs currently holding "Unggul" status, the administration faces the ongoing challenge of elevating the remaining study programs to meet top-tier national and international accreditation standards.

3. Research and Community Engagement: Deepening the institution’s commitment to applied research that directly addresses socio-economic challenges in Tangerang and surrounding regions, aligning academic inquiry with community development.

4. Expanded Inter-Institutional Partnerships: Establishing formal frameworks for cooperation with other Muhammadiyah higher education institutions, operationalizing Kiai Saad’s call for network-wide solidarity through faculty development programs, curriculum benchmarking, and joint grant applications.

Conclusion: A Call for Spiritual and Operational Resilience

As the inauguration proceedings concluded, the overarching message resonated with a blend of pragmatic operational strategy and deep spiritual grounding. Kiai Saad reminded the newly installed rector, faculty members, and administrative staff that human planning and institutional strategies, no matter how meticulously crafted, ultimately depend on divine grace for their fruition.

Closing his address with a classical Quranic invocation, Kiai Saad cited the verse Nasrun minallahi wa fathun qarib—signifying "help from Allah and a near victory." This reference served as both an encouragement and a reminder that the administrative burdens assumed by Dr. Warsito are viewed within the community as a sacred trust (amanah) requiring integrity, humility, and relentless dedication.

With a clear mandate to honor past achievements, foster innovation, elevate academic standards, and extend a helping hand to sister institutions, Dr. Warsito steps into the rectorship of Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang equipped with a comprehensive philosophical compass. As the 2025–2029 term unfolds, the academic community, regional stakeholders, and the broader Muhammadiyah network will be watching closely as UMT translates these strategic directives into tangible institutional progress.

TANGERANG — In a ceremony laden with both solemn remembrance and forward-looking aspirations, the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah officially inaugurated Dr. Warsito as the new Rector of the University of Muhammadiyah Tangerang (UMT) for the 2025–2029 operational term. Held on Friday, September 25, the transition of leadership at one of Banten province’s premier private higher education institutions marked a significant milestone for the academic community, setting a clear trajectory for institutional growth, pedagogical innovation, and regional collaboration over the next four years.

The inauguration proceedings, which brought together prominent academics, regional leaders, and representatives from the broader Muhammadiyah network, carried a distinct emotional weight. Central Leadership (PP) Muhammadiyah Chairman Kiai Saad Ibrahim used the platform to honor the legacy of the late Desri Arwen, the university’s former rector who passed away in August 2026. In his official address, Kiai Saad offered solemn prayers for the deceased, beseeching the Almighty to grant him forgiveness and eternal mercy, while expressing profound condolences to the grieving family left behind.

Moving swiftly from reflection to institutional stewardship, Kiai Saad laid out a comprehensive strategic vision for Dr. Warsito. The newly appointed rector was charged not only with preserving the robust academic foundation established by his predecessor but also with accelerating institutional innovation to meet the rapidly evolving demands of contemporary higher education.

"The core message for the new Rector is to draw deeply from the forward-looking vision of the late leader, to diligently carry forward the remarkable achievements of the previous administration, and to chart a course toward even greater excellence in the future," Kiai Saad stated during his address.

The Philosophical and Historical Roots of Muhammadiyah Education

Elaborating on the philosophical underpinnings of leadership within the movement, Kiai Saad framed academic administration not merely as a corporate or bureaucratic enterprise, but as an extension of the prophetic mission. In Islamic epistemology, he explained, leadership entails the dual responsibility of safeguarding religious values while actively managing and improving worldly affairs. Consequently, Muhammadiyah higher education institutions bear an intrinsic duty to cultivate educational frameworks that seamlessly integrate profound spiritual ethics with rigorous scientific inquiry.

This integrative educational model traces its origins directly to the visionary initiatives of Muhammadiyah founder, K.H. Ahmad Dahlan. In the early 20th century, Dahlan pioneered a transformative pedagogical approach that broke away from the rigid dichotomies of traditional religious schooling and Western colonial education. By simultaneously teaching the Quran and Hadith alongside modern disciplines such as arithmetic, geography, and natural sciences, Dahlan established a paradigm of holistic learning.

Kiai Saad emphasized that this foundational ethos must remain the beating heart of all educational tiers within the Muhammadiyah network, extending from early childhood schooling all the way to doctoral research universities. In the context of the University of Muhammadiyah Tangerang, this historical mandate translates into a continuous pursuit of academic rigor, administrative transparency, and societal relevance. The new rector’s tenure begins at a time when UMT has already achieved considerable institutional maturity, providing a solid launchpad for ambitious future developments.

Institutional Landscape and Current Academic Standing at UMT

The University of Muhammadiyah Tangerang stands today as one of the most dynamic tertiary institutions under the auspices of the Muhammadiyah organization in the western region of Java. Over the past decade, the university has experienced exponential growth in student enrollment, infrastructure development, and program accreditation, mirroring the broader expansion of private higher education in Indonesia’s industrial and urban corridors.

According to data presented during the inauguration events, UMT currently manages an extensive academic portfolio comprising 36 distinct study programs spanning various faculties, including engineering, economics and business, social and political sciences, health sciences, education, and Islamic studies. Crucially, a significant milestone of the institution’s recent quality assurance drive is the achievement of superior ("Unggul") accreditation status for 15 of its 36 study programs. This rigorous rating, conferred by national accreditation bodies, reflects compliance with stringent national standards concerning faculty qualifications, curriculum relevance, research output, and graduate employability.

Despite these impressive benchmarks, Kiai Saad cautioned against institutional complacency. He stressed that the accumulation of academic accolades must not serve as an isolated badge of honor for UMT alone. Instead, these achievements should be leveraged as strategic assets to uplift the broader ecosystem of Muhammadiyah higher education nationwide.

The Mandate of Mutual Assistance: Strengthening the Wider Network

A central theme of the Central Leadership’s address was the principle of collective advancement—the notion that institutional success within the Muhammadiyah movement is inherently collective rather than competitive. In a diverse archipelago nation like Indonesia, private Islamic universities face uneven resource distribution, varying geographical challenges, and differing levels of infrastructural readiness.

Kiai Saad explicitly challenged the leadership and academic senate of UMT to look beyond their own campus boundaries in Tangerang. He articulated a vision where well-resourced institutions actively mentor, support, and collaborate with smaller or newly established Muhammadiyah and ‘Aisyiyah higher education institutions (PTMA) across the country that may still require institutional strengthening.

"True and profound achievement is realized when we collectively prioritize not only our own university, but extend our vision to lift up other universities as well, particularly those within the Muhammadiyah family," Kiai Saad asserted. "We harbor no desire to witness merely one or two institutions thriving in isolation; our ultimate goal is for every single institution to rise in quality together."

This call to collaborative solidarity reflects the organizational DNA of Muhammadiyah, which has historically functioned as a vast, interconnected network of social welfare, healthcare, and educational institutions designed to foster societal upliftment. By positioning UMT as a regional anchor and a mentoring institution, the leadership aims to mitigate disparities in higher education quality among remote and urban campuses.

Strategic Implications for Rector Dr. Warsito’s Administration

As Dr. Warsito assumes the responsibilities of the rectorate for the 2025–2029 term, his administration faces a multifaceted set of strategic priorities derived from both internal institutional needs and external socio-economic shifts.

First, the new leadership must maintain momentum in quality assurance. Converting the remaining accredited study programs to the top-tier "Unggul" status will require targeted investments in faculty professional development, doctoral recruitment, and digital learning infrastructure. Furthermore, as global educational standards pivot toward outcome-based education, industrial integration, and artificial intelligence literacy, UMT’s curriculum must continually adapt to ensure graduates remain competitive in a volatile national and international job market.

Second, fostering external partnerships—both within the Muhammadiyah inter-institutional network and with external industrial stakeholders—will be crucial. Given Tangerang’s status as a major manufacturing, logistics, and commercial hub adjacent to the capital city of Jakarta, UMT is uniquely positioned to forge robust linkages with corporate entities, multinational firms, and local government agencies. These partnerships can facilitate applied research, student internships, and community service initiatives that directly address regional economic challenges.

Finally, the administrative transition occurs against a backdrop of macroeconomic shifts and changing regulatory frameworks for higher education in Indonesia. Navigating funding diversification, enhancing research commercialization, and expanding international student and faculty mobility programs will represent defining tests for the new administration.

Concluding Spiritual and Ethical Foundations

In closing his address, Kiai Saad reminded the university leadership, faculty members, and gathered guests that structural strategies and academic brilliance, while essential, must always be tethered to spiritual humility and reliance on the Divine. He invoked a traditional Qur’anic verse, Nasrun minallahi wa fathun qarib—signifying "help from Allah and a near victory"—to encapsulate the ethos that should guide every administrative decision, academic research project, and community engagement initiative undertaken by the university.

With Dr. Warsito now officially at the helm, the University of Muhammadiyah Tangerang enters a critical chapter of its institutional lifecycle. Supported by a robust foundation of 36 study programs, guided by the historical pedagogical principles of K.H. Ahmad Dahlan, and charged with a clear mandate for regional and network-wide collaboration, UMT is poised to consolidate its role as a premier center of intellectual enlightenment and moral leadership in contemporary Indonesia.