UMS Enhances Global Ties by Welcoming Student from Uzbekistan

For the first time, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) welcomed a group of students from Uzbekistan participating in an inbound student exchange program.

Head of the UMS Office of Collaboration and International Affairs (BKUI), Andy Dwi Bayu Bawono, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., stated that the activity is part of a summer course program, which emphasizes both academic and cultural approaches.

“We are directing them to study and engage in discussions with students from various study programs at UMS,” said Andy after receiving the Uzbek delegation at the Siti Walidah Main Building on Monday (5/5/2025).

The Uzbekistan students posed for a photo with UMS faculty members at the UMS International Office, 5 May, 2025. (Imam Safii/UMS Public Relations)

Andy noted that the students from Uzbekistan would also share their academic and cultural experiences with UMS students. “It’s about trying to understand both the cultural and academic life in Uzbekistan and in Indonesia,” he added.

The arrival of these inbound students from Uzbekistan is part of an ongoing collaboration between UMS and the Bukhara University of Innovation. One of the key initiatives in this partnership is the student exchange program between the two universities.

The Head of BKUI) stated that the inbound program could open doors for future collaboration with other universities in Uzbekistan. If the inbound program proves successful, UMS will explore further opportunities, including research partnerships and lecturer exchanges.

“We’re also planning to implement a lecturer exchange program. So, our lecturers will teach there (Uzbekistan), and theirs will teach at UMS,” he explained.

Nine students from Uzbekistan have come to participate in the inbound program. Seven of them are Management students from Millat Umidi University.

The other two participants are from Bukhara University of Innovation, majoring in English Education and Informatics, respectively.

These students are scheduled to study at UMS for the next week. A series of engaging activities have been prepared to welcome the Uzbekistan delegation, including a talk show, an entrepreneurship expo, a public speaking class, classroom learning sessions, and cultural visits to places like Kampung Batik Laweyan, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Kemuning, and Solo Wholesale Center.

Andy hopes that these students will become ambassadors who can introduce Muhammadiyah to people in their home country. “They can share what Muhammadiyah is all about, especially UMS,” he said hopefully.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Editor: Fika Annisa Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid