Cultural Harmony and Internationalization, Unisa Yogyakarta Welcomes Thousands of New Students

 A warm atmosphere enveloped the morning at ‘Aisyiyah University (Unisa) Yogyakarta as thousands of new students gathered in front of the Siti Walidah Building at Unisa Yogyakarta on Tuesday (September 16, 2025). Thousands of students from various parts of Indonesia and even the world were welcomed by their new Unisa Yogyakarta family.

The university administration, dressed in traditional Javanese attire, entered the courtyard of the Siti Walidah Building by riding a becak, a traditional mode of transportation deeply rooted in the daily life of Yogyakarta’s community. Cheers and enthusiastic greetings accompanied the arrival of the Rector and Vice Rector of Unisa Yogyakarta.

This year, Unisa Yogyakarta accepted 2,508 new students, 18 of whom are international students. Twelve are from Timor Leste, one from Ghana, one from Nigeria, three from Thailand, and one from Sudan.

“New students at Unisa Yogyakarta come from 36 of Indonesia’s 38 provinces. All islands are represented. There are also international students from Timor Leste, Ghana, Nigeria, Thailand, and Sudan. We should be proud to be new students at Unisa Yogyakarta,” said Unisa Yogyakarta Rector Warsiti on Tuesday (September 16, 2025).

The presence of Unisa Yogyakarta as a place of learning for foreign students further strengthens the internationalization efforts of Unisa Yogyakarta. “We are indeed strengthening our internationalization efforts. However, we in Yogyakarta must also introduce Yogyakarta as a city of culture. Earlier, we used becak transportation and wore Javanese costumes. We hope that new students will also uphold cultural values,” said Warsiti.

Warsiti also hopes that new students at Unisa Yogyakarta can become resilient, have integrity, be capable of working and making an impact. “Not only achieving a good GPA, but also having a disciplined, honest, and never-give-up character. Becoming people who provide broader benefits,” said Waristi.

The General Chairperson of the Central Leadership (PP) of ‘Aisyiyah, Salmah Orbayinah, assessed that Unisa Yogyakarta has more advantages than other campuses. Not only campuses under ‘Aisyiyah, but also other campuses outside of it.

Salmah hopes that students can become outstanding scholars with noble character and high moral standards. “Then, not only scholars but also leaders, future leaders of the nation. It is hoped that they will be able to become agents of change for Indonesia for the better,” said Salmah.

One of the international students, Sulaiman A. Majeed, considers Indonesia one of the best countries, with many people wanting to live in Indonesia, especially from Africa. “Then I saw Unisa Yogyakarta and saw its development. I decided to study at Unisa Yogyakarta and I was accepted. I was very happy to hear that,” said the student from Sudan.

Sulaiman chose the Information Technology program at Unisa Yogyakarta. He hopes to follow the lectures well and complete his studies on time.