Exploring Indonesia, Experiencing Diversity Through UMN SIP 2026
July 26, 2026
Group photo with UMN SIP 2026 participants with UMN Rectorate and lecturers (Doc. UMN)
Tangerang, (24/07/2026) – 140 international students participated in UMN Sustainability Immersion Program (SIP) 2026, for a week at UMN Campus. Bringing students from across 13 countries, this program isn’t just introducing students about sustainability, moreover this program offered students to get to know about Indonesian culture.
UMN SIP 2026 is one of UMN’s annual international programs. The program serves as a platform for students from various countries to explore sustainability issues while experiencing Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity.
“I am proud and delighted that UMN SIP 2026 was able to bring together 140 international students. Through this program, students not only learn about sustainability but also gain hands-on experiences both inside and outside the classroom. More importantly, they also have the opportunity to learn more about Indonesia’s diverse cultures”, said UMN Rector, Dr. Andrey Andoko, during the closing ceremony of UMN SIP 2026.
For Andrey, the students participation in the program demonstrates that sustainability is not only about the environment, but also about humans itself. Through cross-cultural interactions and diverse perspectives, participants learned to understand differences and see how they can complement one another. He expected that the experiences gained through the program will equip students to become future leaders who contribute to building a sustainable world.
“I hope that through this program, students gain valuable experiences and make new friends from different countries. More importantly, I hope that the knowledge they have gained can be implemented in their respective countries and that they understand that building a sustainable future is a shared responsibility,” he concluded.
Prof. Dr. Friska Natalia, S.Kom., M.T., as The Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Internationalization, also expressed her appreciation for the cross-border collaboration fostered through UMN SIP 2026. For Friska, the interactions developed throughout the program provided students with an opportunity to understand cultural diversity while directly experiencing the importance of global collaboration in addressing sustainability challenges.
“Through UMN SIP 2026, we did not only gain a better understanding of different cultures, but also demonstrated the global collaboration in practice. This is important in preparing the younger generation, who will shape the future of our world. I hope the students gain new knowledge that they can bring back to their respective countries,” said Friska.
During the closing ceremony, Friska also expressed her appreciation to the students and higher education institutions that provided full support for the program. She hopes that UMN SIP 2026 will not mark the end of the collaborations that have been established, but instead open up more opportunities for future partnerships.
A Glimpse of UMN SIP 2026
The opening ceremony of UMN SIP 2026 by UMN Rector (Doc. UMN)
The offline program was held for one week at the UMN Campus. On the first day, Monday (20/07), the students attended the opening ceremony of UMN SIP 2026 at the UMN Function Hall. The event was officially opened and welcomed by UMN Rector, Dr. Andrey Andoko. Read more about the opening of UMN SIP 2026 here!
Indonesian Culture and Language session with UMN SIP 2026 participants (Doc. UMN)
On the same day, the students were also introduced to Indonesian culture through an Indonesian Culture and Language session led by the UMN Humanities Team. Participants learned about various aspects of Indonesia, from its history and traditions to traditional games. In addition, the students also attended a workshop with Skystar Ventures UMN on “Startup Ideation.”
“It was a great experience to take part in UMN SIP 2026. On the first day, I received a warm welcome and had the opportunity to meet new friends from different countries. Although it was only the first day, I already gained a lot of new knowledge, especially about sustainability,” said Basl Mohamed Osman Mohamed Abas, one of the students from Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom.
For Basl, the program provided an opportunity for students to gain a better understanding of different cultures. He also recommended the program to more international students in the future.
UMN SIP 2026 participants visiting Bukit Sinyonya, Desa Bandung (Doc. UMN)
As the program continued, participants took part in various activities that offered a closer look at Indonesia’s cultural diversity and local communities. These activities included visits to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) and Desa Bandung. Read more about the participants’ activities at TMII and Desa Bandung here!
UMN SIP 2026 participants taking part in a cooking class with UMN’s Hospitality Study Program (Doc. UMN)
In addition to experiencing Indonesia’s cultural diversity firsthand, participants also took part in various classes and workshops at UMN. The students received hands-on learning experiences from four faculties at UMN, exploring a range of topics relevant to the theme of UMN SIP 2026. Read more about the exciting classes at UMN here!
Cultural performances by UMN SIP 2026 participants representing their respective countries (Doc. UMN)
To conclude the UMN SIP 2026 program, the students had the opportunity to introduce and showcase the cultures of their respective countries. Through cultural performances, participants shared traditions and cultural practices from their home countries while celebrating the diversity that became an integral part of their experience throughout the program.
“UMN SIP 2026 is a very good program. I not only learned about Indonesian culture, but also had the opportunity to experience various other cultures presented by participants from different countries. I am also proud to introduce my own country’s culture,” said Laila Rageh Hassanain, a student from Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates.
Beyond learning about different cultures, Laila also expressed her satisfaction with being part of UMN SIP 2026. The program became a memorable learning experience throughout her journey. For Laila, UMN successfully created a truly special program.
By Rachel Tiffany | UMN News Service
English Translation by Rachel
Kuliah di Jakarta untuk jurusan program studi Informatika| Sistem Informasi | Teknik Komputer | Teknik Elektro | Teknik Fisika | Akuntansi | Manajemen| Komunikasi Strategis | Jurnalistik | Desain Komunikasi Visual | Film dan Animasi | Arsitektur | D3 Perhotelan , di Universitas Multimedia Nusantara.
