Research does not have to stop at a university's borders, and at UMB it does not. Through UMB Global Pathways, both faculty members and students have the opportunity to conduct joint research with academic colleagues at partner universities around the world. The arrangement works in both directions. UMB researchers can initiate or join collaborative research projects with counterparts abroad, and faculty members and students from partner institutions are equally welcome to partner with UMB researchers here in Bengkulu. Joint research under this program spans a range of disciplines, reflecting the breadth of UMB's academic portfolio across health sciences, social sciences, education, engineering, agriculture, law, and Islamic studies. The collaboration can take many forms, from co-authored publications and shared datasets to field research conducted across two or more countries, depending on the nature of the work and the agreement between the parties involved.
Every joint research activity carried out under this program requires formal approval from UMB's Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM). This is not a bureaucratic formality. The approval letter and official decree (Surat Keputusan) issued by LPPM serve as the legal basis for the research activity and are the required documentation for reporting to the national lecturer information system (SISTER DIKTI). Researchers who proceed without this documentation risk having their work go unrecorded in the national system, which has direct implications for academic performance assessments and accreditation reporting. Securing the LPPM approval early in the research planning process is strongly advised, and UGE can assist in coordinating between the researcher and LPPM when the collaboration involves an international partner.
Faculty and students interested in pursuing international joint research should start by identifying a potential collaborator at one of UMB's existing partner institutions, or by approaching UGE if they need help making that initial connection. UGE maintains relationships with academic contacts at partner universities across Asia and beyond, and can facilitate introductions where needed. Once a research partnership is agreed upon in principle, the formal approval process through LPPM can begin. UGE will also keep a record of the collaboration as part of UMB's broader internationalization reporting, ensuring that the activity contributes to the university's documented global engagement portfolio.