Yogyakarta — Universitas Ahmad Dahlan’s (UAD) experience in developing international cooperation and mobility programs was a key focus of a benchmarking visit by Universitas Esa Unggul on Friday, October 9, 2026. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange experiences on strategies for internationalizing higher education institutions, from partnership development to international student management.

The delegation from Universitas Esa Unggul was welcomed by Ulaya Ahdiani, S.S., M.Hum., Head of the Office of International Affairs and Cooperation (KKUI) at UAD, together with Afit Istiandaru, S.Pd., M.Pd., Head of the International Cooperation Division, and all KKUI UAD staff members. The delegation consisted of Nurul Azizah, S.E., from the Student Services Unit; Nathassa Ardillah W., M.I.Kom.; and Lianda Rachmadany, S.Pd., M.A., Head of the Partnership Division at the Office of International Affairs.

During the meeting, UAD’s experience in implementing the ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) program was one of the main topics of discussion. Recognized as a reference for best practices in the AIMS program, UAD shared its experience in program implementation strategies, developing partnerships with overseas universities, and creating academic mobility opportunities for students.

The discussion then expanded to opportunities for participating in other international programs, including SEA Teacher, which provides pre-service teachers with opportunities to gain teaching practice experience in other countries. Through the discussion, the Universitas Esa Unggul delegation explored information about participation procedures, program preparation, and key considerations for establishing cross-border academic cooperation.

Beyond program development, ensuring the sustainability of international activities was also a shared priority. The Universitas Esa Unggul delegation also explored UAD’s experience in securing international grants to support various cooperation initiatives and academic mobility activities. This exchange of information provided insights into potential funding opportunities that higher education institutions can utilize to expand the reach of their international programs.

The discussion also covered international student management, including the implementation of the Darmasiswa program. This highlighted that the internationalization of higher education involves more than the number of partnerships or opportunities to study abroad; it also requires institutional readiness to provide services and support for students from different countries. Assistance with academic needs, cultural adaptation, and intercultural experiences is essential to creating an inclusive learning environment.

Through this benchmarking visit, UAD shared its experiences while providing a platform for exchanging ideas to develop more sustainable international programs. The practices discussed are expected to serve as valuable references for Universitas Esa Unggul in developing internationalization strategies that align with its institutional needs.

The visit also formed part of broader efforts to strengthen inter-university learning, enabling existing experiences and best practices to inspire expanded partnerships, improved academic mobility programs, and more opportunities for students to gain international exposure.