UMS Pushes for Internationalization Through Capacity Building

The commitment to becoming a globally leading university continues to be pursued by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS). One of these efforts was realized through the “Capacity Building Workshop for Internationalization: Dream Big, Think Global, Act Now,” held at the Seminar Room, Siti Walidah Main Building, UMS, on Monday (21/4/2025).

Head of the Office of Collaboration and International Affairs (BKUI) at UMS, Andy Dwi Bayu Bawono, S.E., M.Si., Ph.D., stated that the workshop aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the university’s internationalization vision to the faculties and study programs at UMS.

“We want UMS to move toward the global stage. We want the entire UMS academic community to embrace internationalization,” said Andy.

The workshop was an initiative of Education USA and the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, in collaboration with UMS and Universitas Muhammadiyah Kalimantan Timur (UMKT).

Participants of the Capacity Building Workshop for Internationalization: Dream Big, Think Global, Act Now posed for a group photo at the Siti Walidah Main Building, UMS, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (UMS PR/Luqman Hakim)

For context, Education USA is part of the U.S. Department of State, responsible for promoting advanced study and research collaboration in the United States. Education USA actively bridges partnerships between Indonesian universities and institutions in the U.S.

Andy mentioned that UMS has set targets including student exchange programs between Indonesia and the U.S., increasing the number of international students and faculty teaching at UMS, sending UMS faculty abroad, and initiating research and publication collaborations.

"Especially since UMS is an Islamic university, we want to invite international scholars who are interested in studying religious studies here at UMS," he emphasized.

The workshop featured two keynote speakers: Jacob Hosier, M.A., Director of Access Programs, Continuing and Professional Education at the University of California, Davis, and Dr. I Made Andi Arsana, Head of the Master’s Program in Geomatics Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In the first session, Jacob Hosier highlighted the importance of understanding the habits and preferences of American students who pursue studies abroad. This understanding, he explained, can help Indonesian universities, especially UMS, attract American students to study in Indonesia.

"American students are eager to have new experiences, such as learning languages, understanding local lifestyles, and developing themselves personally," said Jacob.

Meanwhile, in the second session, Dr. I Made Andi Arsana outlined several challenges faced by Indonesian universities in their journey toward internationalization. These include the establishment of international classes and the allocation of funds to support overseas exchange programs.

Dr. I Made Andi Arsana, Head of the Master's Program in Geomatics Engineering at Universitas Gadjah Mada, delivered his presentation at the Siti Walidah Main Building, UMS, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (UMS PR/Luqman Hakim)

Andi, as he is commonly known, emphasized that one of the effective strategies for internationalization is through reciprocal partnerships. Such collaborations, he noted, must be grounded in mutual commitment and benefit.

“Foreign students coming to Indonesia should be funded by the host institution, and likewise, Indonesian students going abroad should also be funded by the host institution. That’s the win-win solution,” Andi explained.

The seven-hour workshop was well received by UMS faculty. One of the participants, Dr. Peni Indrayudha, S.F., M.Biotech., Apt., a lecturer in UMS Pharmacy Program, shared that the session provided valuable insights into attracting international students and faculty to collaborate at UMS.

According to Peni, in order to appeal to international academics, each study program at UMS should offer distinctive and unique initiatives. For example, the pharmacy program could introduce international participants to traditional herbal medicines and remedies. She hopes this approach will elevate UMS’s global standing.

“Hopefully, international collaboration at UMS will continue to gain strong support from all study programs, so that the university’s global rankings truly reflect its impact,” Peni concluded.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid