Surakarta, August 5, 2026 – Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) continues to strengthen its commitment to becoming a world-class university through the International Student Award 2026, themed “Recognizing Outstanding Achievement, Contribution, and Excellence,” held at the Djazman Auditorium, UMS Campus 1, on Wednesday (August 5, 2026).
Organized by the Directorate of Reputation, Partnership, and International Affairs (DRKUI) through the International Office, the event served as an appreciation for the achievements, contributions, and excellence of UMS international students. It also reflected UMS’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and globally oriented campus environment.
Rector of UMS, Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum., highlighted that the award ceremony was an important moment to celebrate international students’ achievements while strengthening UMS’s journey toward becoming a world-class university.
“International students have become an important part of our university’s internationalization journey,” said Harun.
Currently, UMS is home to more than 120 international students from 41 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East. According to Harun, this diversity is one of the university’s strengths in creating an inclusive academic environment and enriching cross-cultural interaction across campus.
“Their presence enriches our campus and reaffirms UMS’s commitment to becoming a globally connected university—a place where people from different cultures, languages, and backgrounds can learn, collaborate, and grow together,” he added.
The event also featured an award ceremony for the winners of the Indonesia Independence Day Festival 2026, which was held on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) at the Psychology Field, UMS Campus 2. International students participated in various traditional Indonesian games as part of the celebration.
The festival was not only a celebration of Indonesia’s independence but also provided an opportunity to strengthen cross-cultural friendships through the values of sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork. International students were able to experience firsthand the traditions and joyful atmosphere of Indonesian Independence Day celebrations.
Meanwhile, the International Student Award 2026 recognized students in ten categories: International Student of the Year, Best Academic Achievement, Best Cultural Integration Award, Best Cultural Ambassador, Most Active Student Organization Member, Best Community Engagement, Best Research and Innovation, Best Content Creator, Outstanding Sport Achievement, and Inspiring International Student.
Director of DRKUI UMS, Nurgiyatna, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., explained that the award recipients were selected through a collaborative monitoring and evaluation process involving the International Office, study programs, international student mentors, and the Student Islamic Boarding School (PESMA).
“The International Student Award is being held for the first time at UMS,” said Nurgiyatna.
He explained that the program was designed to build a culture of appreciation while strengthening international friendship, promoting Indonesian culture, encouraging student engagement, and creating a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for students from around the world.
One of the award recipients, Abdulrohim E-sor, winner of the Best Content Creator category and a Master’s student in Indonesian Language Education at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) UMS from Thailand, expressed his pride in receiving the recognition.
During his studies at UMS, Abdulrohim has actively created content introducing international student life, Indonesian culture, and academic activities at UMS to audiences in Thailand.
“I make videos to promote UMS. I am proud to be a UMS student and want people in Thailand to know about this university. Many of my friends in Thailand have become interested in studying at UMS after seeing the content I share,” said Abdulrohim.
He also described the international student admission process at UMS as easy to understand, with clear information available through the university’s official website. During nearly three years of study at UMS, Abdulrohim has received support from lecturers and fellow students, which helped him adapt to the campus environment.
The International Student Award 2026 represents another step in UMS’s efforts to recognize international students while strengthening an open and diverse campus ecosystem. By celebrating the achievements and contributions of students from different countries, UMS continues to foster a global academic community where students are encouraged to excel, contribute, and grow together in an inclusive environment.
