Surakarta, August 20, 2025 – Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), through the Directorate of Reputation, Partnership, and International Affairs (DRKUI), officially welcomed the visit of the Filipino Muslim Student Organization (FMSO). Established in 2024, FMSO was founded to accommodate the needs of Filipino students—particularly those pursuing higher education in Indonesia—while also serving as a bridge of information on scholarship schemes and academic opportunities available at UMS.
This visit marked an important momentum for UMS in expanding its international network, particularly in Southeast Asia, which has long been one of the university’s strategic focuses. As a strategic partner, FMSO is expected to play a key role in increasing the number of Filipino students at UMS while also strengthening academic and cultural ties between Indonesia and the Philippines.
During the discussion, Wijianto, M.Eng.Sc., Head of the Hospitality Division of DRKUI, explained that UMS has prepared several scholarship schemes for international students, including those from the Philippines:
IPS Scholarship – UMS internal scholarship available for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The scholarship covers comprehensive needs, including visa processing, living allowance, health insurance, full tuition fees, and round-trip flight tickets.
KNB Scholarship (Developing Countries Partnership Scholarship) – A scholarship program funded by the Indonesian Government and managed by only 33 selected universities nationwide, including UMS. This year, UMS welcomed six students through the KNB program and another six through the TIAS program. However, the Philippines is not yet listed among the KNB recipient countries for 2025.
TIAS Scholarship – Another scholarship scheme designed for international students, offering more flexible opportunities to pursue higher education at UMS.
“These scholarships are part of UMS’s strong commitment to providing full support for international students, including those from the Philippines, so they can focus on their studies and personal development,” Wijianto emphasized.
Beyond scholarships, UMS also offers wider avenues for collaboration, including student exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and cross-border community engagement projects.
According to Hepy Adityarini, Ph.D., Head of Academic Collaboration and Mobility Division of DRKUI, UMS is committed not only to welcoming international students but also to fostering mutual knowledge exchange and cross-cultural experiences.
“We actively promote UMS directly to schools in the Philippines, both public and private, to raise awareness about study opportunities here. Moreover, Solo offers a far more affordable cost of living compared to larger Indonesian cities, making it an ideal destination for international students,” she explained.
Dr. Hepy also highlighted that the presence of international students, including from the Philippines, enriches the global ecosystem at UMS and supports the university’s vision of becoming an excellent, globally competitive, and inclusive higher education institution.
The meeting was also attended by Mr. Adzar, an officer of Muhammadiyah Organization in Manila, who shared plans to establish a Muhammadiyah University in the Philippines.
“We see enormous potential to bring Muhammadiyah education to the Philippines. However, several key challenges remain, particularly in preparing qualified human resources and determining the most suitable location,” he stated.
This initiative received a warm response from UMS, which expressed readiness to share its experience in developing Muhammadiyah-based higher education. The establishment of FMSO is expected to become a vital connector in strengthening academic, social, and religious collaboration between the two countries.
Through FMSO’s presence and the wide range of scholarship opportunities available, UMS remains optimistic that more Filipino students will pursue higher education in Indonesia. This will not only reinforce bilateral academic ties but also strengthen socio-cultural relations between Indonesia and the Philippines.
As one of Indonesia’s leading universities, UMS reaffirms its commitment to providing high-quality, inclusive, and affordable education for students worldwide, while contributing to the development of global human resources through research, innovation, and sustainable international partnerships.
