Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participated in the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference and Exhibition 2026, held on February 23 – 27, 2026, in Hong Kong. UGM’s participation aimed to establish new partnerships and advance collaborative initiatives to shape the future of higher education.
At this year’s APAIE conference, UGM was represented directly by UGM Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, Director of Partnerships and Global Relations, Professor Puji Astuti, and Director of Research, Professor Mirwan Ushada. The three leaders actively engaged with global counterparts to explore various opportunities for new collaborations.
In her presentation, Professor Ova outlined a comprehensive profile of future-oriented education. She described how contemporary education faces the challenge of preparing students for a world characterized by disruption. She also shared UGM’s vision of developing a transformative education model.
According to Professor Ova, future education seeks to cultivate resilient learners who are adaptable, think critically, and collaborate with partners worldwide to address shared challenges, ranging from sustainable development to technology ethics.
“UGM has designed its curriculum to prioritize students’ mental health, ensuring they possess the emotional resilience needed to navigate the complexities of the modern world,” Professor Ova said on Friday (Dec. 27).
According to Professor Ova, UGM’s presence at APAIE 2026 was driven by a clear strategic vision to expand and deepen its international alliance network. The university is actively pursuing the development of innovative academic programs, joint research projects, and impactful community engagement initiatives with partner institutions, government agencies, and university leaders worldwide.
“Our proactive engagement at APAIE 2026 reaffirms UGM’s position as a leading force in shaping a more collaborative and future-oriented education landscape in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,” she said.
Meanwhile, Professor Puji, who also spoke at APAIE, presented the Regional Update Series: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. During the session, she shared key indicators for higher education institutions seeking to create meaningful impact in Indonesia.
“For higher education to truly make an impact, it must be built upon three pillars: providing equitable access to high-quality education, conducting research and innovation that directly address societal needs, and upholding the highest standards of integrity in governance,” she explained.
On the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) event, UGM also took part in the education exhibition. The university joined the “Study in Indonesia” pavilion, sharing a collaborative exhibition space with other Indonesian universities to promote their respective academic programs. This activity served as a platform to foster cross-regional partnerships among higher education institutions.
Writer: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: DKRG Documentation