Budy Sugandi Wins 2026 Türkiye Alumni Awards in Ankara
Indonesian entrepreneur, innovator, and public speaker Budy Sugandi has achieved international recognition by winning the 2026 Türkiye Alumni Awards. Budy secured the Economics and Entrepreneurship category, awarded by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), under the auspices of the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
This prestigious award is given to international alumni who have pursued higher education in Turkey and are deemed to have made tangible contributions in their professional fields. Recipients are also considered to have successfully strengthened friendship and cooperation between Turkey and their home countries.
In an official letter signed by YTB President Abdullah Eren, Budy Sugandi was declared worthy of the appreciation for his significant achievements in economics and entrepreneurship. The award also serves as recognition of his contributions to developing innovation and building international collaborations that positively impact the wider community.
The award ceremony took place solemnly in the capital city of Ankara on 18 June 2026. The event was directly attended by Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, and YTB President Abdulhadi Turus. Also present were ambassadors from friendly nations, university leaders, government officials, and hundreds of YTB scholarship alumni from various parts of the world.
“I feel very grateful and honoured to receive this award. This is not only for me personally, but also recognition of the potential and contribution of Indonesian citizens on the global stage,” said Budy Sugandi in his statement. Budy hopes this award can strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Turkey, particularly in fostering new collaborations in innovation, technology, education, and entrepreneurship.
Budy Sugandi is widely known as a figure actively promoting digital transformation and improving human resource quality. He currently manages two companies operating in the education and creative economy sectors. Additionally, he holds the mandate as Head of Buperta Cibubur, a business unit owned by the Indonesian Scout Movement. His international track record also includes a strategic role as Co-chairman of Y20 in 2022 (Indonesia’s G20 Presidency) and he previously served as Director of Talent Acquisition at UNU Yogyakarta.
The 2026 Türkiye Alumni Awards are expected to motivate other alumni to continue strengthening the entrepreneurship and technology innovation ecosystem for mutual progress between Indonesia and Turkey.