The popularity of Bali in the eyes of international community is reflected from how foreign visitors acknowledge Bali more than Indonesia, that is, by saying “Which part of Bali Indonesia is located? The world reputation of Bali Island cannot be separated from the varying art and culture which are covered by animism and dynamism among the Balinese. The consistency of the society in maintaining art and culture of Bali has indeed preserved the culture itself from the current globalization era.

Three lecturers of Faculty of Education, Dr. Ali Mustadi, Dr. Enny Zubaidah, and Sumardi, M.Pd submitted their work entitled School Committee Role in Enhancing Learning Quality In Primary Schools in Bantul District to be presented by Ali Mustadi in the XVI World Council of Comparative Education Societies (WCCES) Conference 2016 in Beijing. The conference was held in Beijing Normal University on 22 – 26 August 2016.

Bondan Prakoso together with Rizal Justian Setiawan as the delegations from Yogyakarta State University (YSU) in the National High Achievers 2016 successfully The Best II of National Student Achievers for undergraduate and diploma degrees. The success that coincided with the celebration of Indonesian Independence Day was a high achievement that earns YSU a good reputation.

Yogyakarta State University (YSU) students joining Research Student Activity Units were again showing considerable accomplishments in National Student Scientific Paper Competition (LKTIN) 2016 hosted by Semarang State University (13-15/8). The annual event brought the theme of "Science and Technology Optimization and Local Potential Empowerment for Global Competitiveness towards Indonesia Self-Sufficiency". At the event, the YSU delegation was awarded the 3rd place among ten team delegates.

Nuffic Neso, a non profit organization channeling scholarship from Netherlands government has just recently held presentation and information session of Studying in the Netherlands. The presentation was part of efforts to socialize types of scholarships offered by the Netherlands government, for foreign students including Indonesian students. The event was hosted by Yogyakarta State University (YSU) through the Office of International Affairs and Partnerships (OIAP) in Main Meeting Room, Rectorate Building (9/6/2016).

Students who joined the PKM (Students Creativity Unit) team -Cipta Karsa Faculty of Engineering, Yogyakarta State University have the idea to make Termo Roof Panel, a technological innovation solar thermal collectors that converts heat into electrical energy (solar heat harvester) based on phase change material as a solution to overcome the energy crisis in Indonesia.

In the year 2016, Yogyakarta State University (YSU) once again made a collaboration with USINEC (U.S./Indonesia Education Consortium) in hosting Intensive English Course for 77 hours to enhance the English skill of 72 YSU lecturers. The course was delivered in 4 materials, consisting of academic writing, public speaking, cultural class, and article consultation session. Held for three weeks from 18 July to 5 August 2016, the program invited two instructors from the US, namely Sally Jane Kloppe and Sandra Kay Stroo.

Yogyakarta State University Rector (YSU), Prof. Dr. Rochmat Wahab, M.Pd., M.A received the honor of representing Indonesia in signing the Memorandum of Understanding of China- Indonesia University Think-Tank Alliance. The Chinese representative was the President of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BSFU), Prof. Peng Long. The agenda took place in Gui Yang, China (1/8). The Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education (Menristekdikti) Indonesia, Prof. H. Mohamad Nasir, Ph.D., Ak. and Ministry of Education China, Prof. Chen Baosheng, were also present in the agenda.

A group of Yogyakarta State University (YSU) chaired by Ageng Widi Atmoko (Electrical Engineering Education 2014) and consisting of Puput Pujiyanti (Physics Education 2013), Hendriana Helda Pratama (Electrical Engineering Education 2013), Nony Dias Frimana (Out-of-school Education 2013) and Fenti Richa Rukmana (Biology Education 2014) has received grants from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research in the 2016 Student Creativity Program (PKM).