UMS Empowers Students Through UKM-U Expo II

Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) organized The Student Club Fair (UKM-U) event on Saturday (4/10) at Griya Mahasiswa, UMS Campus I. 

The fair was part of the Welcoming Program for New Students (PMB) Batch II for the 2025 academic year. Director of the Directorate of Student Affairs and Talent Innovation Development (DKPTI) UMS, Ir. Ahmad Kholid Al Ghofari, S.T., M.T., explained that the second batch of the UKM Fair aimed to introduce the university’s student clubs to the new students of Batch II.

Kholid mentioned that this batch involved 731 new students participating in the PMB Batch II Orientation. He encouraged them to take part in student activities, following the example of their seniors who have already been active and brought pride to UMS.

“New students can emulate UMS students who have made the university proud,” he said.

He also invited new students to join and be active in at least three university-level UKMs. “If you find university-level UKMs insufficient, you can also join those at the faculty level,” he added.

Vibrant Atmosphere at UMS UKM Fair Batch II Griya Mahasiswa UMS, October 4, 2025. UMS Public Relations/Gede Arga Adrian.  

In his opening remarks, Rector of UMS Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum., encouraged new students to be active in both academic and non-academic activities. He emphasized that UMS has been and will continue to serve as the host for various national and international events.

“UMS will become the host of international academic and non-academic activities, so we must prepare ourselves well,” Harun stated.

He also urged students to stay healthy and contribute to realizing a strong and dynamic campus, in line with the university’s tagline, “Healthy Students, the Pillar of a Strong and Excellent Campus.”

“Students must be strong and resilient figures,” the Rector added.

As part of the event, the Rector presented bicycles to several new students from regions outside Java Island, including Aceh, North Sumatra, Bengkulu, South Sulawesi, Maluku, and Central Papua.

One of the recipients, Zalfa Salsabila, a Public Health student from Central Papua, expressed her gratitude. “Alhamdulillah, I didn’t expect to receive a bicycle from the Rector,” she said. Zalfa plans to use the bicycle for her daily activities.

The event continued with a lively parade of performances from various student organizations, featuring art showcases, an address by the President of the UMS Student Executive Board (BEM), poetry readings, and musical performances by the Arts and Film Unit.

New students were then invited to tour each UKM-U (University Student Club) office to get to know the wide range of student organizations at UMS. They also had the opportunity to register and join the units that matched their interests.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Editor: Fika Annisa Sholihah

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid