Universities are encouraged to continue strengthening international collaboration that not only enhances academic capacity but also generates tangible benefits for local communities. The Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Capacity Building Program 2025 served as an important forum for researchers and academics to shape the future of education that is more adaptive, inclusive, and responsive to local contexts.
The APAIE Capacity Building Program 2025 was held from Oct. 28 to 29, 2025, at the Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel, Yogyakarta, with the theme “Reshaping Education through International Collaboration: Transnational Education, Digital Transformation, and Local Relevance.”
The theme highlights the importance of global collaboration in ensuring that higher education remains relevant to societal needs.
Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Professor Wening Udasmoro, emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration in transforming education toward an inclusive and impactful future.
“As a university, we are not only a center of knowledge but also an agent of social transformation. Internationalization and digital transformation must remain connected to the needs and cultures of our surrounding communities,” said Professor Udasmoro.
She expressed hope that the discussions throughout the program would foster new collaborations to strengthen the contribution of higher education to sustainable development.
President of APAIE, Professor Venky Shankar Raman, expressed his appreciation for the contributions of UGM and the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) as strategic partners in advancing higher education capacity across the Asia-Pacific region.
“I am very proud that the APAIE Capacity Building Program has been held three times, with UGM and UII serving as strategic partners in higher education collaboration across the Asia-Pacific,” said Professor Raman.
Rector of UII, Professor Fathul Wahid, also conveyed his hopes for the continued sustainability of this collaboration to further strengthen international networks in the field of education.
During one of the discussion sessions, Dr. Dwita Hadi Rahmi, a faculty member of UGM’s Department of Architectural Engineering and UNESCO Chair in Heritage Cities Conservation and Management, presented the role of universities in supporting local community initiatives for the preservation of the Borobudur Cultural Heritage Site.
She noted that although Borobudur is recognized as a world-class tourist destination, nearby communities have yet to experience equitable economic benefits.
“Our community engagement focuses on local land use and economic sectors such as agriculture, handicrafts, and home industries, which are still largely traditional,” said Dr. Rahmi.
Through various research and community service initiatives, UGM continues to promote an evolutionary conservation model. One that preserves cultural heritage while creating opportunities to enhance community welfare.
“Collaboration among communities, government bodies, businesses, and international organizations such as UNESCO is key to achieving sustainable conservation,” Dr. Rahmi explained.
Throughout the APAIE program, participants from higher education institutions across the Asia-Pacific discussed the challenges and opportunities of internationalization, digital transformation, and maintaining local relevance in educational curricula.
The program also highlighted student involvement through experiential learning, which enables students to directly engage with real-world community issues.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographer: Salwa