Mataram, University of Mataram – The Office of International Affairs of the University of Mataram (KUI Unram) held an International Credit Transfer Program Workshop with the theme “Licensing and Management of Foreign Students, and Developing Country Partnership Scholarships”. The event took place on Thursday (30/5) in Dr Yunita Sabrina Hall, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FKIK) Unram.

This workshop presented 4 (four) speakers from DIKTI, including the Head of the DIKTI Institutional Strengthening Working Group Team, Putri Nailatul Himma; DIKTI Institutional Strengthening Working Group Staff, AA Sodikin; Mochammad Kahfi; and Reni Anggraeni.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Unram, Prof. Dr. Sitti Hilyana, M.Si. or commonly called Prof. Nana said that Unram has currently opened international classes in 16 study programmes. Prof. Nana emphasised the importance of making the most of the workshop, given the challenges faced in managing international programmes.

“Because this is something that we are still not used to organising, it needs some very crucial things for us to do, especially how to get permission from the ministry and what must be done by universities,” said Prof. Nana.

“Please make the most of this opportunity, because it is not easy for us to bring in these great speakers,” she added.

Prof. Nana also informed that Unram has established the World Class University Acceleration Unit (UP) as part of the steps to realise Unram’s big dream of becoming an international university.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, Unram will open scholarships for 16 students from Palestine and provide partial scholarships of 50% to several foreign students from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other countries. “Apparently, Unram is in demand by students from the Middle East,” added Prof Nana.

In line with Prof. Nana’s statement, AA Sodikin pointed out a significant increase in the number of foreign students at Unram.

“Unram has increased the number of foreign students very rapidly from 2022-2024. This year there are 145 students from various types of programmes such as Master Degree, BIPA, and Short Course. For licensing and reporting to Dikti, Unram has been very impressive. There has been no problem so far,” he said.

This workshop is an important step for Unram in an effort to increase its capacity as a world-class university and attract international students.