UI plays active role in driving higher education progress in Asia

Universitas Indonesia (UI) participated in the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) Summit 2026, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 1 to 3 June 2026, to actively promote the advancement of higher education across Asia. UI was represented by the Head of the Risk Management and Compliance Agency, Prof. Rizal Edy Halim, and the Director of International Education, Dr Fadhilah Muslim.

“As a founding member of the AUA since 2는17 and the only member from Indonesia, UI continues to play an active role in driving the progress of higher education in Asia,” stated Rizal Edy Halim in a statement on Monday.

He noted that participation in the AUA Summit 2026 serves as a strategic opportunity for UI to contribute to the formulation of regional higher education policies, strengthen partnerships with leading Asian universities, and adopt best practices in institutional governance and innovation. UI’s involvement in the AUA is intended not only to expand international networks but also to bolster Indonesia’s contribution to building the future of Asian higher education.

UI believes that through collaboration with prominent Asian universities, it can deliver innovation, adaptive governance, and partnerships that create a tangible impact on society. “We believe that UI can address global challenges through cross-border cooperation based on the spirit of mutual learning and growing together,” said Prof. Rizal.

The event, attended by delegates from 15 AUA member universities across various Asian nations, was organised by Nazarbayev University and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), alongside the AUA secretariat from Tsinghua University.

UI’s participation in this prestigious forum reflects the institution’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation networks within the Asian region. The AUA Summit 2026 programme included Working Group Meetings, the AUA Board Meeting, and the AUA Presidents Forum 2026. During the Board Meeting held on 2 June 2026, the primary agenda included a review of the AUA programme for the 2023-2026 period, the handover of the AUA Presidency and Executive Presidency, and discussions on the AUA framework for the 2026-2029 period.

Meanwhile, the AUA Presidents Forum 2026 was held under the theme “Shaping Future Universities: Industry Engagement and Governance Innovation,” focusing discussions on two strategic issues: the transformation of university governance models and the strengthening of collaboration between universities and industry within higher education.