Through the SMEs Circular Business Video Challenge Awarding & Panel Talk “Circular Shift: SMEs Driving Sustainable Change”, this event aims to spark inspiration and foster concrete collaborations among the government, private sector, SMEs, and the public in accelerating Indonesia’s transition toward a circular economy. The event serves not only as a platform to recognize innovative entrepreneurs but also as a symbol of partnership between Indonesia and the Netherlands in advancing their shared commitment to sustainable development. With a spirit of multi-stakeholder collaboration, this initiative aspires to strengthen the national green economy ecosystem and encourage more SMEs to transform into competitive, inclusive, and environmentally responsible enterprises.

 

1. SMEs’ Circular Business Video Challenge and Circular Market

• The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) in Indonesia would like to organize the “SMEs’ Circular Business Video Challenge and Circular Market” and seek an Implementing Organization for the event. This event will be an avenue for SMEs adopting circular business practice to share their experiences, such as their efforts to conserve resources, reduce waste, apply innovative design and end of life management (referring to 9R strategies). It is hoped that circular business initiatives that are shared in video challenge will inspire other SME’s to adopt similar model and therefore can gain benefit from it.

 

Challenge Introduction 

Video Submission Guideline 

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

• This challenge will invites Indonesian SMEs to share their circular journey in the whole of their business cycle (i.e. from production, packaging, delivery
  etc.) in the form of a short video. The video should tell the story of how their circular journey started, the challenges they faced and how they embraced it, the
  achievements and impacts and a call to action to inspire other SMEs. Participants should upload no longer than five minutes video on Instagram.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• This competition invites participants to showcase innovative ideas that apply circular economy principles, ranging from waste reduction and community empowerment to sustainable design.
• Submit a short video explaining your circular business initiative. Make sure your video includes:
  – An introduction to your business and how it started
  – Circular practices: production processes / packaging / resource efficiency / innovative design / waste reduction / end-of-life product management
  – Brief data on the impact generated, such as the amount of material saved, emissions reduced, or number of beneficiaries
  – Participants should upload no longer than five minutes video on Instagram.

 

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2. SMEs Circular Business Panel Talk “Circular Shift: SMEs Driving Sustainable Change”

• This event underscores the shared commitment of both nations to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a combination of a panel talk & awarding session, circular market, the event seeks not only to showcase sustainable business innovation but also to provide a tangible experience of how individuals and organizations can contribute to a circular economy in action.

 

Event Information

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

• The Panel Talk “Circular Shift: SMEs Driving Sustainable Change” is designed as an interactive discussion that brings together diverse perspectives from government, private sector, and social enterprises on advancing circular economy practices in Indonesia. Rather than a formal presentation, the panel will take the form of a guided conversation moderated to ensure engaging dialogue and practical takeaways.
• Event Details: Erasmus Huis, Jakarta, 22 November 2025

 

OUTCOME

• Cross-sector dialogue leading to joint commitments in advancing the circular economy.
• Greater visibility for Indonesian SMEs in sustainability practices.
• Stronger collaborations among government, private sector, and international actors.
• Increased public awareness of the circular economy principles.

 

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Apply directly to EKN. Kindly refer to Online Submission Form. 
2. The deadline is 14 November 2025. 
3. The FINAL decision is from EKN.

 

CONSULTATION INFO

If you have any questions regarding this program, you can contact us in OIA’s office hour:

• WhatsApp: +62 812-1888-7818 (WA)
• Email: scholarship@ugm.ac.id

Virtual consultation: https://ugm.id/AppointmentOIAUGM 

 

Greetings from the AUN Secretariat!

As part of the mutual exchange between the Six National Universities (SixERS) and the ASEAN University Network (AUN), we are pleased to share the Japan-ASEAN Online Program Towards SDGs 2025, a four-day intercultural online workshop under the theme: “The Nexus Analysis of Sustainability Issues.”

 

Event Concept Note

 

ABOUT THE EVENT

• This programme offers students from AUN Core Member Universities and the Six National Universities the opportunity to explore sustainability issues through a nexus analysis approach. Participants will learn the importance of comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches to the SDGs, engage in cross-cultural group work, and develop intercultural communication skills while fostering mutual understanding among students from ASEAN and Japan.

EVENT DETAILS

• Organizer: Niigata University, Okayama University, SUN/SixERS, and AUN
• Targeted Participants: Students from AUN and SUN/SixERS member universities who are interested in SDGs.
• Language: English
• Schedule: 08-11 December 8 2025, 16:45~18:45 (JST)

 

ELIGIBILITY

• The program will admit 50 students, with 30-40 from AUN Core Member Universities and 10-20 from SixERS.
• In the event that applications exceed capacity, participants will be selected based on their reasons for applying and their English language proficiency.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Apply directly to AUN Secretariat. Kindly refer to the Online Application Form.
2. The deadline is 14 November 2025.
3. The FINAL decision is from AUN Secretariat and the organizer.

 

CONSULTATION INFO

If you have any questions regarding this program, you can contact us in OIA’s office hour:

• WhatsApp: +62 812-1888-7818 (WA)
• Email: scholarship@ugm.ac.id

Virtual consultation: https://ugm.id/AppointmentOIAUGM 

The Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the ASEAN University Network (AUN), recently hosted the AUN Summer Camp 2025 from July 23 to August 3, 2025. 

Bringing together around 50 students and scholars from across the region and beyond, this year’s program carried the theme “Global Resilience for Environmental and Natural Sustainability”, focusing on key issues related to environmental management, sustainable infrastructure, and the use of natural resources. 

During the online opening session held on July 23, representatives from the Faculty of Engineering emphasized the importance of global collaboration in facing environmental challenges and strengthening academic collaboration between ASEAN countries and the world. In addition, Lisendra Marbelia, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., the Head Committee of AUN Summer Camp 2025, expressed her appreciation for all the participants in this program.

The event was designed as a hybrid program which combines both online and on-site activities, and reflected a shared commitment to addressing regional and global sustainability challenges through academic collaboration and youth engagement. Aside from class lectures, the participants also had the opportunity to learn and experience things first-hand from local communities, ranging from river management to chocolate-making process.

Coming from countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Yemen, and Pakistan, the participants took part in a wide range of activities, including interactive lectures, campus tours, field work, and cultural exposure, offering both academic insight and experiential learning. 

The program also featured speakers from UGM, AUN-affiliated universities, and other partner institutions around the world, highlighting the international and interdisciplinary nature of the summer camp.

With a focus on developing future leaders in sustainability, the AUN Summer Camp 2025 served not only as a knowledge-sharing platform but also as a space for cultural exchange and cross-border collaboration among ASEAN youth and global participants.

Greetings from Singapore!

Sustainable Asia Conference (SAC2025) is a peer-reviewed academic conference convened by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and hosted by its School of Business. Designed for scholars committed to advancing sustainability research with applied impact, the conference provides a rigorous platform to address Asia’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

We are pleased to inform you that the application for Sustainable Asia Conference (SAC2025) is now open for Universitas Gadjah Mada students.

 

SAC2025 conference webpage

Program Flyer

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM 

• The conference theme, “Building a Resilient Asia: Innovating through Infrastructure, People, and Finance”, aligns closely with SUSS’s mission to create positive societal impact through education, research, and service.
• Strongly encourage submissions for presentations and posters.
• The conference brings together researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders to explore actionable insights and innovations driving sustainability across Asia.

 

EVENT SPEAKER

• Professor Benjamin Horton, Chair Professor of Earth Science Dean, School of Energy and the Environment, City University of Hong Kong.
• Ms Eu-Lin Fang, Partner & Sustainability and Climate Change Practice Leader, PwC Singapore Asia Pacific Centre for Sustainability Excellence Lead, Asia Pacific Financial Services Sustainability Leader.
• Professor Xin (Simba) CHANG, Professor of Finance, Associate Dean (Research), Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University.

 

DATE AND VENUE

• Venue: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Date: October 29 to 30, 2025

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Apply directly to Singapore University of Social Sciences. Kindly refer to the Submission Guidelines. 
2. The deadline is 01 August 2025.
3. The FINAL decision is from Singapore University of Social Sciences. 

 

CONSULTATION INFO

If you have any questions regarding this program, you can contact us in OIA’s office hour:

• WhatsApp: +62 812-1888-7818 (WA)
• Email: scholarship@ugm.ac.id

Virtual consultation: https://ugm.id/AppointmentOIAUGM  

The Blue Innovative Startup Acceleration (BISA) Program offers a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change in Indonesia’s Blue Sector. This initiative brings together Innovative Startups with transformative solutions, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) making an impact at the grassroots level, and University Students eager to apply their skills and creativity. By fostering collaboration and leveraging technological solutions, the program aims to address pressing challenges and create sustainable advancements in the Blue Sector.

 

BISA program focus on 7 key sectors to promote Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Fisheries & Aquaculture
2. Marine Biodiversity Conservation
3. Marine and Water Tourism
4. Renewable Marine Infrastructure & Energy
5. Marine Biotechnology
6. Marine Debris and Coastal Waste Management
7. Blue Carbon

 

Who should apply?

1. Innovative startup focused on blue economy solutions, validated solutions solving real problems, proven business model with adequate revenue, clear plan and openness for partnership.
2. Community based organisation (NGOs, communities, associations, local businesses, and cooperatives) currently working or have engaged in a blue sector project, well understand the beneficiaries and local communities, committed to solving social & environmental challenges, well connected with local stakeholders and ready to partner with technological initiatives.
3. University Students with major related to blue economy (preferable 3rd/4th year), focusing on university students from areas where the initiatives will be implemented, passionate about making a difference or building a career in the sustainability fields, who have worked / volunteered in a local community and motivated to support the synergy group to succeed.

The programme is designed to facilitate collaboration among startups, community-based organisations, and university students to co-create a solution.

The primary goal of this programme is to explore the adaptation of technology to solve the blue-sector problems in Indonesia through Synergy Groups.

 

What will you get?

For Innovative Startup:

• Local champions matchmaking
• Government support
• Networking & Business Matching
• Grant opportunities
• Market Expansion

For Community-Based Organisation:

• Technology support to solve local problems
• Capacity building
• Government Support
• Grant opportunities
• Networking opportunities

For University Students:

• Engagement in real world projects
• Certificate of participations and achievement
• Networking opportunities
• Capacity building
• On the job training recognition

Program Timeline

• Open call for applications: 17 Dec 2024 – 21 January 2025
• Collaborations Lab: February 2025
• Demo Day: June 2025
• Project Implementation: July – November 2025

 Please visit https://bisainovasi.com/ to apply by 21 January 2025.

 

Professor Ova Emilia, M.Med.Ed., Sp.OG(K)., Ph.D., the Rector of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), was among the keynote speakers at the Asian Universities Science and Technology Innovation Forum 2024 held in Hong Kong on January 27 and 28.

The main agenda of the forum was to provide a platform for university leaders in Asia to share insights on enhancing the attractiveness of Asian universities to global young talents in advancing scientific research, teaching, and internationalization.

“Through this forum, UGM is delighted to have the opportunity to promote the university globally and, of course, to expand networks, especially with more universities in Asia, and deepen existing collaborations with many UGM partner universities,” said the Rector.

Furthermore, the forum also discussed strategies for nurturing, attracting, and retaining exceptional young talents for innovation and scientific development, as well as fostering exchange and cooperation among universities.

In the forum organized by the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel (CAIEP) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Ova spoke about developing communities to attract global young talents, a topic later discussed by representatives of other universities in the panel discussion.

In addition to this forum, UGM also participated in another event organized by JST in Hong Kong on the same dates, namely the Japan-ASEAN University Exchange Meeting. The meeting aimed to strengthen sustainable research partnerships through the exchange of information and opinions between universities in Japan and ASEAN.

UGM has a positive track record of collaboration with organizations under JST, such as research with SATREP, e-ASIA JRP, or student mobility in the SAKURA Exchange Program in Science. By participating in this meeting, UGM aims to increase the number of research collaborations, student mobility, and other areas of higher education cooperation.

Yogyakarta, Indonesia – Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) welcomed esteemed delegates from Taylor’s University, Malaysia, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, for a promising discussion on potential collaborations between the two esteemed institutions. The meeting, chaired by Prof. Dr. Apt. Puji Astuti, S.Si., M.Sc., Director of Partnerships and Global Relations at UGM, aimed to explore avenues of collaboration across academic and research domains, fostering international partnerships and enriching academic experiences for students and faculty members alike.

On this occasion, Dr. Chuan Loo Wong and Dr. Sau Har Lee, distinguished lecturers from the School of Biosciences – Biomedical Science at Taylor’s University, provided an insightful introduction to Taylor’s University, emphasizing its status as a premier private university in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The presentation outlined various opportunities for collaboration, including student exchanges, research partnerships, and joint programs.

Addressing the delegation from Taylor’s University, Dr. Tika, representing UGM, emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and information exchange in nurturing collaborative partnerships. She  outlined UGM’s diverse international programs and highlighted recent successful initiatives such as student involvement from several partner universities in UGM’s flagship program: community services

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further dialogue and exploration of collaboration opportunities. Taylor’s University pledged to provide detailed information on potential collaborations and expedite the process of establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.

As UGM and Taylor’s University embark on this journey of collaboration, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to advancing academic excellence, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and creating impactful contributions to society.

#SDGs #UGMSDGs #Sustainability #PartnershipFortheGoal

On 24 November 2023, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Global Strategic Partnership was signed between UGM and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA). Founded in 1952, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) is one of higher education institutions for aviation in China. Since its foundation, NUAA has developed into a high-level university characterized with aeronautics, astronautics, and civil aviation. Its multiple disciplines range from science and technology to management sciences, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences.

 

Following up on the visitation of UGM’s delegates to NUAA last September, Prof. Zhiqiu Huang (Vice President), Prof. Zhuo Zhang (Director of International Cooperation Office), Prof. Zhiqiang Yuan (Director of College of Aerospace Engineering), Prof. Hu Liu (Director of College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering), Prof. Wei Wang (Director of College of Continuing Education), and Prof. Qunhua Zhuang (Director of NUAA Holding Company Ltd.) as representatives of NUAA were warmly welcomed by Arief Setiawan Budi Nugroho, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D. (Vice Rector for Planning, Assets, and Information Systems), Dr.-Ing. Ir. Agus Maryono (Dean of Vocational School), Prof. Ir. Selo, S.T., M.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., IPU, ASEAN Eng. (Dean of Faculty of Engineering), Dr. Endang Soelistyowati, M.Pd. (Vice Dean for Cooperation and Alumni of Vocational School), and representatives from Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ir. Tumiran, M.Eng., Ph.D., and Prof. Dr. Eng. Ir. Deendarlianto, S.T., M.Eng.

 

“This partnership comes at a critical time when addressing global challenges requires unified efforts and the pooling of knowledge and resources. As we embark on this journey together, let us foster an environment of open dialogue, mutual respect, and knowledge exchange, fortified by trust and a shared commitment to creating a sustainable future for generations to come,” remarked Vice Rector Arief Setiawan Budi Nugroho, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D. Through this MoA signing, both sides are expanding their horizons to achieve common goals via academic exchange, international seminars or conferences, collaborative research, joint laboratories, summer schools, etc.

 

Prof. Zhiqiu Huang added, “As a university that promotes open education and network of collaborations with global partnerships, NUAA is confident that this collaboration on education and research will bring fruitful achievements for both of our universities and countries.” The synergy between both sides promises the implementation of activities such as energy research, sustainable manufacturing of high-end diagnostic medical equipment, and cultural studies by involving Faculty of Engineering, Vocational School, and Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

 

Lastly, the signing ceremony was adjourned with a token exchange and photo session.

 

Red: Angely/OIA