STB taps Muhammadiyah East Java to send 500 students to Singapore

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is stepping up its focus on Indonesia's education tourism segment through a new partnership with the East Java chapter of Muhammadiyah's primary, secondary and non-formal education council and Universal Solusi Edukasi.

Announced in Surabaya, the one-year collaboration aims to bring at least 500 students from Muhammadiyah schools across East Java to Singapore through structured overseas student trips, underscoring Singapore's ambitions to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for international learning experiences among Indonesian students.

The programme is designed to expose students to cross-border learning environments, innovation ecosystems and diverse educational settings, while broadening their global perspectives beyond the classroom.

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The initiative reflects growing demand for short-term educational travel among Indonesian schools, particularly those seeking international exposure that combines academic enrichment with character development.

Lim Si Ting, area director, STB Indonesia (Surabaya), said the collaboration marks STB's first partnership with Muhammadiyah East Java in the education tourism space.

"Through this partnership, we hope to introduce the diverse educational and inspiring learning experiences offered in Singapore, while strengthening Singapore's position as the destination of choice for educational tourism programmes," said Lim.

Singapore has increasingly positioned itself as a learning destination for regional students, leveraging its accessibility, safety, connectivity and range of educational institutions and enrichment programmes. These attributes have made it a popular choice for Indonesian schools seeking overseas learning opportunities without the logistical complexities associated with longer-haul destinations.

For Muhammadiyah East Java, the programme aligns with its broader educational mission of preparing students for an increasingly globalised world.

"Muhammadiyah believes that education does not only take place within classrooms, but also through experiences that broaden perspectives and shape students' character. Singapore is a destination that aligns with Muhammadiyah's educational vision because it offers an environment that supports the development of knowledge, innovation, discipline, and global perspectives," said Khozin, chairman of the primary, secondary and non-formal education council of Muhammadiyah East Java.

Universal Solusi Edukasi will serve as the implementation partner, overseeing the planning and execution of the programme to ensure a seamless learning and travel experience for participating schools and students.

"As the implementation partner, we are committed to ensuring that every programme is designed and delivered professionally, safely, and with maximum educational value for participants," said Universal Solusi Edukasi managing director Wennas Widjaja.

Beyond facilitating student mobility from East Java, the partners hope the initiative can serve as a replicable model for similar collaborations across other regions of Indonesia.

The programme also highlights the growing convergence between tourism and education, as destinations increasingly seek to attract younger travellers through purpose-driven experiences that combine learning, cultural exposure and personal development.

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