Surakarta, 17 October 2025 — Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) officially welcomed five new international students under The Indonesian AID Scholarship (TIAS) program through an orientation session held at the Rectorate Meeting Room on Friday (17/10). This event marks another milestone in UMS’s ongoing commitment to strengthening internationalization and enhancing its global reputation.
Director of the Directorate of Reputation, Partnership, and International Affairs (DRKUI) UMS, Nurgiyatna, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., stated that the orientation serves as an annual agenda to introduce foreign students to academic life, Muhammadiyah values, and campus culture.
“This is part of our commitment to internationalization and building a strong global impression,” he explained.
UMS Rector, Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum., extended his warm welcome and appreciation to the TIAS awardees, emphasizing the significance of their academic journey at UMS.
“You are among the best students for choosing UMS — one of the leading Islamic private universities in Indonesia,” he expressed.
He also encouraged them to consider continuing their postgraduate studies at UMS after completing their undergraduate program.
“Your presence here is more than an academic journey. UMS is committed to providing an exceptional learning experience, with excellent facilities and a nurturing academic environment that supports both social and spiritual growth,” the Rector added.
Sub-director of Hospitality at DRKUI UMS, Wijianto, S.T., M.Eng.Sc., explained that The Indonesian AID Scholarship (TIAS) is a relatively new government program, currently in its second year, offered to students from 25 countries through 25 selected host universities in Indonesia.
“The scholarship is mainly prioritized for government employees or civil servants in their home countries,” he noted.
Wijianto further highlighted that UMS was selected as one of the host universities through a competitive process, particularly for institutions offering international classes.
“The selection process is quite rigorous since TIAS students are enrolled in international classes, not regular ones,” he said.
He expressed optimism that in the coming years, UMS would secure a larger quota to manage the TIAS program and expand its role in the global education landscape.
“We hope to continue contributing to Indonesia’s educational diplomacy by hosting more TIAS students in the future,” he concluded.
Through this program, UMS reaffirms its dedication to fostering cross-cultural learning and contributing to Indonesia’s mission of promoting education as a bridge for international cooperation and mutual growth.
