Universitas Gadjah Mada

Established under Dutch rule in 1949, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is one of Indonesia’s oldest and largest higher education institutions. It is also known as one of the best in the country.

This public research university is based in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, in Yogyakarta, on the island of Java. Often known as Jogja, it is one of the smallest provinces in Indonesia (population: 511,000) and is widely recognised as the centre of Javanese culture and heritage. Students and lecturers alike will experience enrichment through the cultural exchanges, not to mention the nearby historical sites, including the world famous Borobudur and Prambanan temples and the palace of Yogyakarta.

The 360-acre site boasts 18 faculties, a vocational and graduate school, with the option of studying one of 250 courses.

On-campus facilities include a library, sports centre, stadium, tennis court and basketball field. UGM’s mosque was designed by UGM architectural engineering students and holds 10,000 people, making it one of Southeast Asia’s largest mosques.

UGM’s main building, the Balairung UGM was Indonesia’s first modern-style building and was inaugurated in December 1959.

Community empowerment activities and services are a big part of UGM’s culture and students are often assigned to internship programmes in some of the most rural regions in Indonesia.

UGM has engaged in a dedicated ecological development programme, by restricting vehicles from entering the campus, constructing new “green” dormitories on campus and reducing pollution.

Famous alumni include Indonesia’s seventh and current President of Indonesia, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.