6th September 2025, A total of ten international students from Universitas Andalas (Unand) took part in the Sawahlunto International Songket Silungkang Carnival (SISSCa) 2025, held in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra.

SISSCa is one of the 110 Kharisma Event Nusantara (KEN) programs organized annually by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia. The carnival showcases creative works made from Silungkang songket, recognized as one of the oldest woven cultural heritages in Indonesia.

The SISSCa 2025 was officially opened by the Mayor of Sawahlunto and attended by several national and regional figures, including Andre Rosiade (Deputy Chair of Commission VI), Fauzi Baadila (Commissioner of PT Pos Indonesia), Shadiq Pasadigoe (Member of the House of Representatives), Vice Governor Vasko Ruseimy, Mayor Riyanda Putra, Deputy Mayor Jeffry Hibatullah, Darul Siska (former four-term Member of the House of Representatives), Assistant Deputies from the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, members of the Regional House of Representatives, as well as mayors and regents from across West Sumatra, alongside other distinguished guests.

On this occasion, Unand’s international students appeared wearing the winning costumes from last year’s carnival, adding to the vibrancy and attraction of the event.

Their participation drew the attention of the public and visitors, symbolizing support for promoting the rich cultural heritage of Minangkabau to the international stage. It also served as a platform to strengthen cross-cultural interaction between international students and the local community.