Studying in the Heartland of Java

The lettering in the blue lattice covering the gates reads 'The School of Psychology'. This is the direct entrance to the campus auditorium in Mesen, Solo, Central Java. The building on Jalan Urip Sumohardjo 110 was littered with dust and garbage on Tuesday two weeks ago. Higher up, on the exterior of the wall facing the street is a smaller sign that reads 'Universitas Sebelas Maret (March 11 University (UNS)) Campus II. Campus One of UNS is situated at Kentingan near the Bengawan Solo river. Even though the Mesen campus is the second campus, this is where UNS began.

During Dutch colonial times, the Algemmene Middelbare School or AMS Part A1 stood on this campus near the Jebres Railway Station. It was at this senior high school (AMS) of Oostersch letterkundige, or oriental literature, that Muhammad Yamin studied in 1925 and graduated in 1927. Yamin arrived in Solo in 1925. "In those days this city was the heart of Java Island," said Heri Priyatmoko, a researcher of the Town of Solo.