MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, MADIUN – Despite being a really young institution, Muhammadiyah University of Madiun (UMMAD) has steadily emerged as a higher education destination for students from across Indonesia, including those from outside Java and from non-Muslim backgrounds.
UMMAD’s reflected its commitment to moderation and tolerance at its 2025 commencement ceremony, when Kristofora Karolina Kewa, known as Olin, became one of the university’s top graduates. A Catholic student from East Nusa Tenggara, Olin completed her bachelor’s degree in health sciences and achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.79, the highest among the graduates honored.
Throughout the studies, Olin said she felt fully accepted on campus despite being a non-Muslim student. She noted that lecturers treated all students fairly and professionally while her peers created a supportive academic and social environment. As a result, she was able to focus on her studies without experiencing discrimination or social isolation.
Like all students at Muhammadiyah universities, Olin was required to take courses in Al-Islam and Kemuhammadiyahan (AIK). Initially uncertain about the requirement, she later found the courses emphasized moral values, ethics, and tolerance rather than religious doctrine. She said the classes encouraged mutual respect and did not pressure students to adopt beliefs different from their own.
Olin chose UMMAD’s Health Administration Program after considering her long-standing interest in the health sector and practical factors such as tuition costs. Her undergraduate thesis examined the role of special needs schools in implementing routine community health programs to improve services for children with disabilities, highlighting her focus on inclusive public health.
UMMAD Rector Sofyan Anif said Olin’s achievement illustrates the university’s identity as a campus of moderation. He emphasized that UMMAD does not distinguish students by religion, ethnicity, or race, and remain committed to fostering both academic excellence and social harmony. (ghulam)
Translator: Bintang Adrian
