Surakarta, 4 March, 2026 – Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), through its Directorate of Reputation, Partnership, and International Affairs (DRKUI), organized the International Ramadan Gathering 2026 on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Seminar Room B2, Edutorium UMS.
The event served as a communal iftar gathering while also functioning as a platform for monitoring and evaluating international students who are currently studying at UMS under various funding schemes, including Self-Funded, International Priority Scholarship (IPS), Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) Scholarship, and The Indonesian Aid Scholarship (TIAS).
The Director of DRKUI UMS, Nurgiyatna, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., stated in his remarks that the event serves as an important opportunity to strengthen connections while enhancing communication between international students and the university.
“This event is not only a moment of togetherness during the holy month of Ramadan, but also a platform for us to hear directly about the experiences, challenges, and feedback from international students during their studies at UMS,” he said.
During the event, the DRKUI team also conducted monitoring of international students’ academic progress while studying at UMS. Students were given the opportunity to share their academic experiences, including their adaptation to the learning system, interactions with lecturers and local students, as well as various challenges they encountered during their study period. In general, students expressed that the learning process has been running well and that they have received strong support from their respective study programs and the campus environment.
International students also shared their experiences of observing the holy month of Ramadan in Indonesia. One of the students from Pakistan, Noor Ul Ain, explained that this year marks her first experience of observing Ramadan in Indonesia, particularly at UMS.
“This is my first Ramadan in Indonesia. I have experienced many unique and different things compared to my home country. One of the most interesting moments is before iftar, when many people sell various kinds of takjil (traditional snacks for breaking the fast) in many places. The atmosphere is very lively and gives me a new experience,” she said.
Meanwhile, a student from Kenya, Alwi Ahmed, shared his appreciation for the International Ramadan Gathering, which he described as a meaningful event that strengthens the sense of togetherness among international students.
“This event is very wonderful, phenomenal, and spectacular. It truly brings diversity together, because students from many different countries can gather, celebrate Ramadan, and break the fast together in a warm and friendly atmosphere,” he said.
Students also expressed their hope that similar activities can continue to be organized in the future, along with more cultural and academic programs involving international students. In response to these suggestions, DRKUI welcomed the feedback and reaffirmed its commitment to continuously improving the quality of services and support for international students at UMS.
Through the International Ramadan Gathering 2026, UMS hopes to strengthen communication between international students and the university while also serving as a platform for monitoring and evaluation to enhance the quality of international services within the campus community. The event also reflects the spirit of togetherness, diversity, and inclusivity that characterizes the international community at UMS.
