EduAsiaNews, Surakarta — On 11 March 2026, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta will commemorate its 50th Anniversary (Dies Natalis). This golden milestone, marking half a century of UNS’s journey, serves as a moment of reflection on the achievements that have been attained. The commemoration also represents a significant milestone in strengthening UNS’s role as a leading, innovative, and impactful higher education institution.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., stated that the theme of the 50th Anniversary is: “Five Decades of Service to the Nation: A Foundation for Accelerating Impactful and Sustainable Achievements.”
A wide range of activities has been organized, involving the entire academic community, including students, lecturers, educational staff, and alumni. “The series of anniversary events commenced in February and will continue through July, with the main celebration taking place on 11 March,” explained Prof. Hartono on Wednesday (25/2/2026).
The series of events began on 11 February with a pilgrimage to the graves of the founders and the first Rector of UNS as a tribute to the distinguished figures who laid a strong foundation for the institution’s development. On 12 February, the events continued with a tree-planting ceremony by newly appointed Professors as a symbol of commitment to sustainability, the advancement of knowledge, and long-term contributions to the environment and civilization.
In March, the principal anniversary events will be held, beginning with the 50th Anniversary Ceremony of UNS on 10 March, followed by an Open Session of the Academic Senate on 11 March, serving as a moment of reflection on achievements and the future direction of UNS’s development. On this occasion, a religious sermon (tausiah) will also be delivered to strengthen the spiritual values and sense of unity within the academic community. Subsequently, on 26 March, UNS will host Gelar Budaya Anak Bangsa, showcasing the richness of arts and culture as a manifestation of its commitment to preserving national cultural values.
In April, various activities encouraging active participation from the academic community will take place, including an Internal Sports Competition on 8–11 April, followed by a mass exercise session, a fun walk, and a community festival for campus residents on 11 April. On the same day, UNS will also hold a Student Innovation Exhibition to showcase outstanding student works and innovations. Furthermore, UNS will present an international public lecture featuring the 2024 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economic Sciences, Prof. Daron Acemoglu from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as part of its efforts to strengthen the global academic atmosphere. An External Sports Competition will be conducted on 22–24 April, culminating in the 50th Anniversary Music Concert on 25 April as a celebration of togetherness and creativity within the academic community.
The series of activities will continue in May with the Distinguished Alumni Awards Night, combined with the Grand Launching of the UNS Endowment Fund and an intimate concert on 8 May. In addition, UNS will host the Meeting of the Academic Senate Assembly of State Universities with Legal Entity Status (PTN-BH) on 21–23 May, as well as the UNS Fun Run in collaboration with the UNS Alumni Association (IKA UNS), aimed at strengthening synergy between the university and its alumni.
In June 2026, UNS will organize various cultural, social, and health-related activities, including a Wayang Kulit (traditional shadow puppet) performance on 13 June as part of cultural preservation efforts, and a Community Engagement Program on 21 June. On this occasion, integrated health services will also be provided, including a morning exercise session and health talk show, comprehensive medical check-ups, vaccinations, health consultations by specialist physicians from the UNS Hospital polyclinic, non-medical consultations, and mass circumcision services as a tangible contribution of UNS to the community.
In July 2026, a science and technology exhibition and the Congress of the Indonesian Young Scientists Academy will be held to further strengthen UNS’s role in the development of science and innovation. Additionally, UNS will confer the Outstanding Individual Awards in recognition of members of the academic community who have made exceptional contributions, marking the closing of the entire series of the 50th Anniversary celebrations.
In addition to the main events, UNS will also conduct various internal competitions from February to April 2026, including the Inclusion Metrics Competition, Vertical Garden Competition, master plan development competition, and the writing of the book “50 Years of UNS.”
“Moving forward, UNS is expected to further strengthen its role as a center for the advancement of science, technology, and the arts, and to continue evolving as an adaptive, innovative higher education institution that actively contributes to addressing global challenges,” he concluded.
