12 UAD Students Join AIMS Student Exchange Program in Thailand and Malaysia
Yogyakarta, August 12, 2026 — Ahmad Dahlan University (UAD) sent 12 students from seven study programs to Thailand and Malaysia to participate in the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Program for the 2026/2027 academic year. The send-off ceremony was organized by the UAD Office of Cooperation and International Affairs (OCIA) on Wednesday (August 12) at the Joint Meeting Room (RSB), Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI), 5th Floor, Ahmad Dahlan Building, UAD Campus 4.
The seven participating study programs are Indonesian Literature, English Literature, Arabic Language and Literature, Informatics, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Food Technology.
The students will spend one semester studying at several partner universities abroad, including Thammasat University in Thailand, as well as Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Malaysia. Through the AIMS Program, students will have the opportunity to attend classes alongside international students at their host universities. They will also engage with local communities and cultures, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural contexts of their host countries.
More Than a Decade of AIMS Participation
In his report, Afit Istiandaru, UAD AIMS Coordinator, explained that UAD has participated in the AIMS Program since 2010. More than a decade of participation has strengthened UAD’s experience and capacity in organizing international student exchange programs with partner universities abroad.
AIMS is a multinational consortium coordinated by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (RIHED). The consortium consists of higher education institutions nominated by the education ministries of participating countries. In addition to universities from Southeast Asia, AIMS also involves higher education institutions from South Korea and Japan, making the program particularly attractive to participating students.
Through AIMS, students not only gain academic experience at their host universities but also receive academic recognition for the courses they complete during the exchange. This allows them to remain on track with their studies at UAD without having to retake courses missed during their time abroad.
UAD also provides financial support for participating students by waiving tuition fees during the AIMS program, covering English proficiency test fees, health examination costs, and visa expenses.
Officially Sent Off to Join the AIMS Program
Following the AIMS Coordinator’s report, the event continued with remarks and the official send-off by Ulaya Ahdiani, Head of the UAD Office of Cooperation and International Affairs.
In her remarks, Ulaya encouraged the students to make the most of their participation in AIMS not only to strengthen their academic abilities but also to broaden their perspectives, build international networks, and experience cultural diversity in their host countries.
She also reminded the students to uphold the good reputation of UAD throughout their participation in the program. Studying abroad, she emphasized, should be an opportunity for students to develop their ability to adapt, communicate, and collaborate within an international academic environment.
The send-off ceremony concluded with the symbolic presentation of program materials to the AIMS participants, followed by a group photo.
The participation of 12 UAD students in the 2026/2027 AIMS Program represents another step in UAD’s efforts to expand access to international academic experiences for its students. Through the program, students are expected to develop global competencies, expand their academic networks, and bring back new experiences and perspectives that can contribute positively to UAD and the wider community.
