Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – Universitas Andalas successfully held a Halal Bihalal event with the theme “Celebrating Victory, Carving Out Achievements, Preserving the Nation's Heritage.” The event took place at the Universitas Andalas Auditorium and was attended by academics from various faculties and work units across the university.

Halal Bihalal is a tradition of fellowship that is deeply rooted in Indonesian culture, particularly during the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. This tradition serves as a platform to strengthen interpersonal relationships through acts of mutual forgiveness, socializing, sharing meals, and exchanging gifts—all of which embody the values of togetherness and social harmony.

A total of 15 faculties, the university hospital, and various administrative units participated in enlivening the event by presenting a wide array of traditional Indonesian culinary delights. Notably, several of the dishes showcased were products of research and innovation by university lecturers and researchers. These included gaharu tea from the Faculty of Agriculture, meatballs from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, as well as dadih chips, butterfly pea flower tea, and kombucha tea developed by the Faculty of Public Health.

Congratulations on your graduation! This is a remarkable milestone that reflects your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. May this achievement be just the beginning of a successful journey ahead, filled with growth opportunities, new challenges to conquer, and accomplishments that exceed your expectations.

Congratulations to the international students who have successfully graduated.

1. Khin Thuzar Htay - Myanmar

--> S3 - Civil Engineering

2. Warisah Wanaeloh - Thailand

--> S2 - Thailand

3. Hem Kimhong 

--> S2 - Agronomy

4. Muhammad Hafizudin Bin Abdul Razak - Malaysia

--> S1 - Medicine

5. Naily Faizon Binti Ahmad Faizon - Malaysia

--> S1 - Medicine

6. Siti Nawal Sumaiyah Binti Asmadinata - Malaysia

--> Doctor Profession

7. Rinesha Khaunder A/P Saktivelu - Malaysia

--> Doctor Profession 

Indonesia Education Fair 2024 is organized by the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in Songkhla (KRI Songkhla) in collaboration with Yala Rajabhat University. This activity aims to promote Indonesian higher education institutions to international students and students, especially in Yala, Thailand, to establish educational cooperation and strengthen cultural and social relations between Indonesia and Thailand.  

This activity, which was held on 11-12 December 2024 at Yala Rajabhat University, was attended by more than 30 universities and colleges from Indonesia, including Universitas Andalas, Bogor Agricultural Institute, Malang State University, Hasanuddin University, Binus University International, and many more. Over 1000 participants and visitors from Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat Provinces participated in this activity.

This activity was opened with welcoming remarks from Mr Ampon Pongsuwan, Governor of Yala Province. Then also present, was The President of Yala Rajabhat University, Prof. Sirichai Namburi, Deputy Secretary General of SBPAC, Mr. Piyasiri Wattawarangkul and President of the Advisory Board of the Thailand–Indonesia Alumni Association, Lt. Gen. Terdsak Damkham who also gave opening remarks at the event. The release of confetti also enlivened the event's opening as a sign that the event had officially opened.

On this occasion, Universitas Andalas, as one of the exhibition participants represented by the International Office, promoted the UNAND campus with promotional media, including brochures, flyers, and banners containing information about various faculties, study programs, and scholarships that international students can participate in to study at UNAND. Not only that, students in Yala, Thailand, can also have the opportunity to get interesting UNAND merchandise such as books, pens, key chains, and pins.

The high enthusiasm of Thai students participating in this exhibition will increase international students' interest in studying at Universitas Andalas.

Universitas Andalas is one of the leading universities in Indonesia which is in the Top 6 position in Indonesia in the Interdisciplinary Science aspect.

Universitas Andalas has also recorded proud achievements in the international arena, based on data from the Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Ranking (ISR) 2025, Universitas Andalas has succeeded in being ranked 201-250 globally.

Would you like to turn your dream of studying at the Universitas Andalas into a reality?

The partial scholarship of Universitas Andalas is available for international students who want to study at Universitas Andalas for Master's and Doctoral Programs

On Saturday, 2nd November 2024, International Students of Universitas Andalas took part in a field trip to Bukittinggi which aimed to introduce West Sumatra culture and tourism as well as to increase familiarity and cohesiveness between fellow international students who were studying at Universitas Andalas. 

This activity was attended by around 60 international students and accompanied by 6 people from the international office. International students are invited to visit the Tourism Village/Nagari Sanjai, Bukittinggi. While at Nagari Sanjai, students were given an introduction to Minangkabau culture, such as wearing traditional Minang clothing, playing traditional musical instruments, tasting traditional food, eating 'bajamba' which has typical Minangkabau philosophical values, and getting to know the traditional kerupuk sanjai processing process.

Apart from that, international students are also invited to visit the Fort de Kock Fort and the Kinantan Zoo. There international students can see traces of the history of the Dutch colonial period, get to know the animals in Indonesia and there is also a Rumah Gadang which is a traditional Minangkabau house. Not only that, they can also see the natural beauty of Bukittinggi such as Mount Singgalang, Mount Marapi, and the Sianok Canyon.

Then, this activity closed with a group dinner accompanied by a welcoming speech for new international students at VOCA Cafe Bukittinggi. This dinner event was also interspersed with entertainment in the form of a quiz with prizes and closed with a group photo.

It is hoped that with this activity, international students can increase closeness and solidarity between fellow students and between students and the international office as well as increase international students' knowledge and love of Minangkabau culture.

Monday, 28 October 2024, Universitas Andalas received a visit from the Majlis Bekas Wakil Rakyat Malaysia (MUBARAK). The delegation is former Experts of the Parliamentary Council and Experts of the State Legislative Council in Malaysia or in Indonesia who are former members of the DPR and DPRD.

This meeting was welcomed by the Rector of Universitas Andalas, represented by Vice Rector IV, Dr. Henmaidi, ST, M.Eng.Sc, along with the head of international office, Dr. Rina Marnita AS, MA, who moderated the discussion about the culture, development, and progress of Universitas Andalas, which was held in the Senate Meeting Room, 4th Floor, Rectorate Building, Universitas Andalas.

The purpose of this visit is to get to know the leadership of Universitas Andalas more closely and find out in more detail about the development and progress of Universitas Andalas, especially in the cultural sector. Apart from that, MUBARAK also held dinner activities with students from Malaysia studying at Universitas Andalas (UNAND), Padang State University (UNP), and UIN Imam Bonjol Padang.

Through this visit, it is hoped that good relations between Universitas Andalas and the Majlis Bekas Wakil Rakyat Malaysia (MUBARAK) can continue to be well established.