Surakarta, August 27, 2025 – Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing the internationalization of higher education through its active participation in the Developing Countries Partnership Scholarship (KNB) program for the Academic Year 2025/2026. Through the Directorate of Reputation, Partnerships, and International Affairs (DRKUI), UMS organized the reception and inauguration of international students awarded the KNB Scholarship, marking a significant step in strengthening its role as a center for Indonesia’s educational diplomacy.
The KNB Scholarship is one of Indonesia’s flagship programs designed for students from developing countries. Beyond offering the opportunity to pursue higher education in Indonesia, the program serves as a vital platform for building global networks of friendship, introducing Indonesia’s culture, and reinforcing international collaboration in education.
The reception of international students began on Sunday (August 24) in Jakarta. The scholarship awardees arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and were facilitated to Swissotel Jakarta PIK Avenue for accommodation. On the first day, they joined a welcome luncheon, followed by registration and document verification managed by the organizing committee.
The official inauguration took place on Monday (August 25) at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in Senayan, Jakarta. The agenda opened with morning registration, followed by the formal inauguration ceremony in the afternoon.
The event began with a report by the Director General of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Khairul Munadi, who underlined the vital role of KNB Scholarship awardees in strengthening international educational cooperation. He emphasized that KNB students are expected to act as cultural bridges and ambassadors, introducing the excellence of Indonesia’s higher education to the world.
This was followed by remarks from the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Brian Yuliarto, Ph.D., who highlighted the KNB Scholarship as a concrete manifestation of Indonesia’s contribution to global education networks. He emphasized that the presence of international students in Indonesian universities fosters not only the exchange of knowledge but also cultural diplomacy and inter-nation collaboration.
Adding to the significance of the event, one of the new KNB awardees delivered a testimony expressing their hopes and determination to pursue their academic journey in Indonesia. This moment symbolized both the unity and the beginning of their academic path in the country.
The agenda continued with academic and cultural orientation. Puji Mudiana, SP., MA., Director of International Education at IPB University, delivered a session titled “Introduction to Life in Indonesia”, which provided an overview of Indonesia’s social, cultural, and academic environment. The inauguration was further enlivened by traditional dance performances, reflecting the rich cultural diversity of the archipelago and offering the students a memorable first impression.
Later in the afternoon, students received a technical briefing from the Director of Institutional Affairs regarding scholarship facilities, allowances, and academic regulations. They also completed the official signing of the Student Agreement, marking their formal commitment as KNB Scholarship recipients. The event concluded with a farewell dinner that fostered friendships among students from various nations.
The three-day program wrapped up on Tuesday (August 26) with check-out procedures before the students were dispatched to their respective universities across Indonesia to begin their studies. This academic year, UMS officially welcomed six international students under the KNB Scholarship program from Uganda, Thailand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Bangladesh. Their presence at UMS is expected to enrich the academic environment and foster a multicultural learning atmosphere on campus.
To support the success of international students, UMS has prepared a comprehensive range of academic and non-academic facilities, including the International Office, language centers, and cultural mentoring programs. UMS is committed to building an internationally friendly campus ecosystem where foreign students can adapt smoothly, achieve academic excellence, and actively engage in social and community activities.
Through its participation in the KNB Scholarship program, UMS serves not only as a host for international students but also as a strategic partner of the Indonesian government in expanding educational diplomacy. The presence of KNB students at UMS is expected to strengthen cross-national relations, enrich intercultural experiences, and reinforce UMS’s reputation as a university committed to nurturing globally competitive graduates with strong character and competence.
