UIN Surakarta Selects Top International Talent from 1,350 Global Applicants

UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta officially held the Final Selection for the 2026 International Student Admission Program on Wednesday (9/6/2026), chaired by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Institutional Development, Prof. Dr. H. Zainul Abas, M.Ag. The meeting was opened at 12:00 PM WIB and attended by university leaders, faculty representatives, and international office staffs.

In his opening remarks, Abas highlighted the growing international interest in studying at UIN Surakarta. A total of 1,350 applicants from various countries registered for the 2026 admission cycle. Following a series of selection stages, including administrative screening, a Computer-Based Test (CBT), and interviews, only 100 candidates advanced to the final interview stage.

The meeting also reviewed the current development of internationalization at UIN Surakarta. At present, the university hosts 38 international students from nine countries: the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. These students are enrolled across various academic programs and actively contribute to campus life and community engagement activities.

As part of its internationalization strategy, UIN Surakarta continues to expand the presence of international students across a wider range of study programs. This year’s recruitment process prioritized academic programs that currently have few or no international students, particularly those preparing for international accreditation. These include programs in Islamic History and Civilization, Library and Information Science, Biology Education, Mathematics Education, Primary Teacher Education, Business Law, Islamic Communication and Broadcasting, Aqidah and Islamic Philosophy, Sufism and Psychotherapy, Food Technology, Data Science, Informatics, and Environmental Science.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the final scholarship recipients for the 2026 intake. A total of 15 candidates were selected to receive the Rector Scholarship, consisting of seven male and eight female students. Scholarship schemes offered by the university include both fully funded and partial scholarship categories, reflecting UIN Surakarta’s commitment to attracting talented international students from around the world.

During the discussion, university leaders also reaffirmed UIN Surakarta’s commitment to becoming a more inclusive and globally engaged institution. The university continues to strengthen support services for international students, including accommodation, immigration assistance, Indonesian language training (BIPA), and the introduction of health insurance coverage for future international student cohorts.

The meeting was officially closed by the Vice Rector at 2:00 PM WIB. Through this admission process, UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta aims to further strengthen its position as a globally connected Islamic university that welcomes students from diverse cultural, national, and religious backgrounds. (Editor: Bill)