UBSI Strengthens International Research Collaboration through Diaspora Berdampak 2026
Universitas Bina Sarana Informatika (UBSI) is strengthening international research collaboration through the second batch of its Diaspora Berdampak programme in 2026. Held in a hybrid format, combining in-person meetings with online participation via Zoom, the programme runs from 14 to 29 October 2026. One of its events took place at the Tambora Auditorium on the ninth floor of UBSI’s Kramat 98 campus in Jakarta. The programme featured Associate Professor Hera Oktadiana, PhD, CHE, of James Cook University and the Griffith Institute for Tourism in Australia.
The programme provides an opportunity for the academic community to broaden its understanding of academic networks, cross-border research collaboration and the global competitiveness of research. It also involves higher education partners AKPARDA Yogya, STIE Pariwisata API and Universitas Pertiwi.
In her presentation, Professor Hera stressed that networking is the first step towards creating opportunities to work with academics and universities overseas. Such connections can be built through conferences, seminars and international academic forums.
“At conferences or seminars, I always try to meet people from different places, both in Indonesia and overseas. Networking can provide a great deal of information and opportunities to develop collaboration,” Professor Hera said.
She also shared how she secured a scholarship to study in Hong Kong through academic networking. Consistently maintained professional relationships, she said, can create new opportunities for career development and research.
“Networking is like a snowball. Once you know one or two people, they can introduce you to others. From there, your network grows and more opportunities for collaboration open up,” she said.
During the discussion, Suesilowati, a participant from Universitas Pertiwi, asked how to begin building partnerships with overseas universities, including whether a memorandum of understanding (MoU) should come first.
In response, Professor Hera recommended that universities begin by communicating, getting to know potential partners and identifying shared research interests before moving towards formal cooperation.
“Networking is the first step. We can start by meeting people, establishing communication and finding those with similar research fields or interests. The relationship can then be developed into more concrete collaboration,” she explained.
Professor Hera also encouraged participants to make use of professional communities in their fields, such as TRINET in tourism, and to establish forums between universities to share expertise and resources.
As a Creative Digital Campus and an UNGGUL-accredited higher education institution, UBSI continues to promote academic knowledge and expand its international networks. Through the second batch of the Diaspora Berdampak programme in 2026, conducted with higher education partners, UBSI hopes to create more opportunities for joint research, academic exchanges, scholarly publications and improvements in lecturers’ capabilities.
Professor Hera emphasised that global collaboration requires openness, consistent communication and a willingness to share resources.
“We do not have to work alone. We can form groups, connect colleagues from different institutions and share resources to create opportunities for international collaboration,” Professor Hera concluded.