Surakarta, April 21, 2025 – The Office of Collaboration and International Affairs (BKUI) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) successfully hosted a campus internationalization workshop under the theme “Capacity Building Workshop for Internationalization: Dream Big. Think Global. Act Now.” The event took place on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Seminar Room, Siti Walidah Main Building, UMS. The event was attended by university leaders, deans, vice deans, heads of study programs, and invited guests.

This workshop aimed to enhance the understanding of UMS stakeholders regarding the importance of internationalization in higher education facing global dynamics. It also served as a forum to identify both opportunities and challenges UMS faces in realizing its internationalization vision.

The event was conducted in collaboration with EducationUSA, the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, and Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT). EducationUSA, a U.S. Department of State network, provides support and guidance to international students seeking to study in the United States. Through its partnership with EducationUSA, UMS is strengthening its internationalization agenda, particularly in areas such as student exchanges, staff mobility, and research collaboration.

The workshop also emphasized increasing academic exchanges between Indonesia and the United States, with a shared hope that UMS faculty members will have the opportunity to teach at universities across the U.S. and vice versa.

The event featured two distinguished speakers:
1. Jacob Hosier, M.A., Director of Access Programs, Continuing and Professional Education, University of California, Davis
2. I Made Andi Arsana, Ph.D., Head of the Geomatics Engineering Master’s Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Jacob Hosier presented insights on Trends in U.S. Study Abroad Programs, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities associated with studying in the U.S. He also introduced various study abroad program types available at U.S especially at UC Davis, encouraging potential academic mobility partnerships with UMS. Jacob’s session included an interactive activity where participants create and share an “elevator pitch” to promote their institutions as hosts for faculty-led or locally-led study programs.

In the next session, Dr. I Made Andi Arsana highlighted on Reimagining Academic Internationalization. He elaborated on the challenges faced by Indonesian universities in pursuing internationalization. His presentation emphasized the importance of developing international classes, ensuring reciprocal funding mechanisms, and strengthening institutional capacity. “One step toward internationalization is internalization,” he stated, reinforcing the need for institutional readiness.

Through this workshop, UMS reaffirms its commitment to advancing internationalization and fostering a global academic environment. The university aims to increase outbound and inbound mobility of students and staff, enhance global research collaboration, and actively promote international teaching experiences.
As part of its vision to become a globally engaged institution, UMS continues to welcome partnerships that support mutual growth, academic excellence, and cultural exchange.