A total of 150 international students from seven higher education institutions across several countries are participating in the Intercultural Competency, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (INCiTE) Summer School Program 2026 at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Participants come from several of the world’s leading universities, including the University of Edinburgh, the University of Sydney, the University of Toronto, Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Management of Cambodia, and CUBEL UK. Running from July 9-24, 2026, the international collaborative program is designed to strengthen intercultural competence while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset through a comprehensive learning experience.
The opening ceremony was held on Thursday (Jul. 9) at the Mezzanine Student Center, Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas UGM (GIK UGM). The Director of the UGM Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations, Professor Puji Astuti, emphasized the importance of global collaboration and developing an entrepreneurial mindset to address today’s global challenges. Through the program, Professor Astuti said participants are expected to make the most of this cross-border learning opportunity.
“Through a series of interactive challenges, participants are encouraged to develop their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills,” she said in a statement released to reporters on Monday (Jul. 13).
Professor Astuti explained that before attending the opening ceremony, participants took part in the INCiTE Quest, a campus exploration activity that introduced them to UGM and familiarized them with the history, culture, and unique character of Yogyakarta. The first day’s program continued with two Local Insight sessions featuring UGM academics, who introduced participants to Indonesia’s modern history, culture, politics, and society.
Participants then attended Indonesian-language classes organized by the Indonesian Culture and Language Learning Service (INCULS) to help them better understand the language and culture before beginning the academic program. The first day concluded with a Welcome Dinner at Westlake Resto & Resort. The event provided an opportunity for participants, representatives from partner universities, and the organizing committee to build networks, strengthen institutional partnerships, and foster new friendships.
Over the course of more than two weeks, Professor Astuti said participants will take part in a range of academic activities led by lecturers from INCiTE partner universities and UGM academics.
“The program is designed to develop intercultural competence, innovation, and entrepreneurship as essential skills for addressing global challenges,” she explained.
In addition to classroom learning, participants are scheduled to visit various industries across the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Through these visits, they are expected to gain firsthand insights into the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, sustainable business practices, and the development of local creative industries. These field experiences are intended to help participants connect academic concepts to real-world conditions and gain a deeper understanding of innovation and Indonesia’s business landscape.
“At the end of the program, all participants will work in multinational teams to develop and present innovative project ideas,” she concluded.
Author: Agito Sitepu
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: UGM Directorate of Partnerships and Global Relations