ASIATODAY.ID, ATLANTA — A total of 8,400 Indonesian students currently studying in the United States have been identified as a strategic diplomatic asset in strengthening Indonesia–US relations.
The statement was delivered by Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Indroyono Soesilo, during the opening of the Indonesian Muslim Society in America (IMSA) Congress 2025 in Atlanta, Georgi on December 25, 2025.
Addressing community leaders, professionals, academics, and students from across the United States, the Ambassador stressed that the figure of 8,400 is far more than a statistic. It represents a growing pool of human capital that serves as a people-to-people bridge between Indonesia and the United States.
“More than 8,400 Indonesian students in the United States are a strategic national asset. They are studying at the world’s leading centers of science, research, and technology, while simultaneously becoming the face of Indonesia on the global stage,” Ambassador Indroyono said.
According to the Ambassador, the expanding cooperation between Indonesia and the United States in research, technology, innovation, and economic development requires a new generation equipped with global competencies, international networks, and cross-cultural understanding—a role increasingly carried by Indonesian students in the US.
Within this context, the Indonesian Muslim Society in America (IMSA) was highlighted as a key platform for nurturing young diaspora leadership.
IMSA has evolved beyond a traditional community organization, serving as a space for leadership development, intellectual dialogue, and social engagement, integrating religious values with professionalism and global responsibility.
The opening session also featured remarks from Zabidi Yusoff, President of the Malaysian Islamic Study Group (MISG), and Aria Novianto, President of IMSA. Both underscored the importance of leadership continuity and youth empowerment to ensure that the potential of Indonesia’s 8,400 students in the US translates into long-term national influence.
The IMSA Congress 2025 was marked by the presentation of the IMSA Awards 2025, honoring community figures for their dedication and leadership.
On the same occasion, Ambassador Indroyono symbolically donated 80 copies of the Holy Qur’an in support of educational and community development activities among Indonesian Muslims in the United States.
In a student panel titled “Global Minds and National Future: Role of Indonesian Students and Diaspora in the US,” the Ambassador reiterated that Indonesia’s future global standing will be shaped by how well its young generation navigates global transformation, particularly in science, technology, and the digital economy.
The congress was supported by representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, DC, as well as the Indonesian Consulates General in Houston and Los Angeles, reflecting a unified commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s diaspora engagement in the United States.
On the sidelines of the event, the Immigration Attaché of the Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles provided integrated immigration services to Indonesian citizens.
The IMSA Congress 2025 reaffirmed a key message: Indonesia’s young diaspora—especially its 8,400 students in the United States—are no longer on the periphery of diplomacy, but are increasingly emerging as a vocal and strategic asset in Indonesia–US relations. (AT Network)
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