DECLARATION: ULM, alongside 16 universities from three countries within the KUUB consortium, is committed to advancing a "Borneo Bermartabat."

Universitas Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) hosted the Konsortium Universiti Universitas Borneo (KUUB) Convention, attended by 16 universities from across Borneo. The event took place at the Fugo Hotel, Banjarmasin, on 8 November 2023.

The ULM Rector, Professor Dr. Ahmad Alim Bachri, SE, MSi, explained that KUUB is a collaboration between higher education institutions on the island of Borneo, which includes universities from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Indonesia.

"KUUB is an alliance of universities, currently involving 16 universities across the Borneo or Kalimantan region," he stated.

Professor Ahmad expressed his hope that private universities in Kalimantan will also join the consortium in the future, particularly those interested in forming alliances. "We hope that private universities in Kalimantan will also join, thus truly promoting the advancement of a 'Borneo Bermartabat' simultaneously," he concluded.

In the near future, KUUB plans to implement various programs, including student and faculty exchanges, research collaborations, and community service partnerships.

SPEECH: ULM Rector, Professor Dr. Ahmad Alim Bachri, SE, MSi, delivering his remarks during the KUUB Declaration.

"For example, we could implement double degree programs between universities in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and those in the Kalimantan region. This will significantly help to improve the bargaining of positions in higher education institutions in Borneo," he explained.

A double degree program allows a student to earn two bachelor's degrees from two different universities. In order to achieve this, students must meet the requirements and curriculum set by both universities.

Meanwhile, KUUB Convention Chairman, Prof. Dr. Shahrul Razid Sarbini, expressed his gratitude to ULM's Rector for hosting the KUUB Convention this time. "The declaration made on this occasion formalizes our agreement among 16 universities to form an alliance aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education and advancing the programs we have designed," he said.

Representing H. Sahbirin Noor, the Governor of South Kalimantan, Husnul Khatimah, who is  the Advisor for Social Affairs and Human Resource (SDM), emphasized that KUUB will further advance knowledge and technology, particularly in higher education.

"Through KUUB, we also hope to enhance our human resources to become not only nationally but also internationally competitive," she concluded.