Surakarta, May 8, 2025 – As part of the inbound student exchange program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), students from Uzbekistan had the unique opportunity to learn and practice traditional batik-making in Kampung Batik Laweyan, Solo. This cultural activity was part of a series of events designed to introduce the students to the rich heritage of Indonesian batik art.
Before the hands-on batik workshop at Batik Mahkota Laweyan on Thursday (May 8, 2025), the students were given a deeper understanding of the history and making process of batik, including traditional batik wayang beber and Quranic batik, which require extensive time to create. The students showed great enthusiasm by asking numerous questions about types of batik, coloring techniques, and batik fabric prices to their guide.
One of the exchange students, Shakhlo Khasanova from Millat Umidi University, shared that she had often heard about batik while in Yogyakarta but appreciated the rare chance to learn and create batik firsthand in Solo. “Here in Solo, we got a great opportunity to learn batik and make it ourselves,” said Shakhlo enthusiastically after completing her piece.
Shakhlo also noted that batik making requires patience and a considerable amount of time, especially for large fabrics, which can take up to six months to complete. However, during this workshop, the students worked on smaller cloth pieces measuring about 30 cm by 30 cm, which they were able to finish in roughly two hours. “The design I made looks like clouds and the sun,” she explained with a smile.
In addition to the batik workshop, Shakhlo expressed her amazement and gratitude for the overall experience during the student exchange program at UMS. She did not expect to be taken on tours of various cultural sites in Solo or to have the chance to learn directly from professors and fellow students. “When I came here, I was really impressed and learned a lot from the friends and professors at the campus,” she concluded.
The fourth day’s activities ended with a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque for prayers, followed by shopping for souvenirs at the Solo Wholesale Center as a memento of their visit.
This inbound student exchange program not only enriches academic knowledge but also strengthens cultural ties between Indonesian and Uzbek students while introducing the richness of Indonesian traditions to international participants.
