UNIPMA – Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA) continues to show progress as a university that is increasingly attracting international students. Currently, there are seven students from Timor-Leste pursuing their education in various study programs at UNIPMA.

The students come from several faculties and study programs, namely Pedro Julito Melo from the Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Sports Science and Science (FIKS); Lourdes Henriques from the English Education Program, FKIP; Lélia Sampaio Nunes from the Physics Education Program, FKIP; Evanelsia Da Costa Sousa from the Accounting Program, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB); Matilde Juana Madeira from the Informatics Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering; Delfina da Costa Lima from the Faculty of Law; and Bernardino A. Pereira from the Electrical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering.

The presence of international students is part of UNIPMA’s effort to expand its international network while creating a more diverse academic environment. In addition to improving the quality of learning, the presence of international students also opens opportunities for cultural exchange and shared experiences with local students.

One of the students from Timor-Leste, Pedro Julito Melo, said he chose UNIPMA because the university has a good reputation and an academic environment that supports international students.

“During my studies at UNIPMA, I have felt comfortable because the lecturers and educational staff are very supportive in both the learning process and our adaptation as international students,” said Pedro on Thursday (18/6).

Pedro admitted that he has gained many experiences while studying in Madiun, both in academics, organizational activities, and social interactions with students from various regions of Indonesia.

According to him, studying at UNIPMA not only provides knowledge but also offers the opportunity to directly experience Indonesian culture and expand social connections.

A similar statement was shared by Accounting student Evanelsia Da Costa Sousa. She admitted that she initially experienced culture shock when she first arrived in Indonesia, especially due to adapting to a new environment and language.

Nevertheless, she considers the campus environment to be supportive of the adaptation process for international students.

“The lecturers here are kind and patient when teaching. My friends also often help me whenever there is material or an assignment that I do not yet understand,” she said.

Evanelsia hopes to complete her studies on time and apply the knowledge she has gained from UNIPMA to contribute to the development of Timor-Leste.

She also hopes that UNIPMA will continue to grow and attract more international students from various countries.

The presence of international students is considered to have a positive impact on the campus environment. Local students have the opportunity to directly learn about foreign cultures through academic activities and student organizations.

On the other hand, the presence of international students also strengthens UNIPMA’s image as a university that is beginning to compete on a global level. The university is now not only a destination for students from various regions in Indonesia, but is also starting to attract students from abroad.

UNIPMA also continues to develop international collaborations through educational programs, student exchange initiatives, and improvements in academic services for international students. These efforts are expected to provide broader opportunities for students to gain international experience during their studies.

For more complete information regarding campus activities, visit UNIPMA’s official Instagram account at @official_unipma. UNIPMA has also opened new student admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year. Registration for Regular and RPL programs for the 2025/2026 academic year is now open.