UNS – Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has taken on the role of co-host at the AppliedHE Xchange 2025 event. The location for the event was The InterContinental Bali. On the second day of the conference, Monday (24/2/2025), participants engaged in in-depth discussions and strategic collaborations. The organizers chose the theme “Where Education Meets Industry for a Future that Works.” It emphasizes the crucial synergy between education and industry in fostering an inclusive and sustainable future.
The Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., warmly welcomed participants in his opening speech. He reiterated UNS’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry, particularly in an increasingly competitive global landscape. According to him, the conference provides a strategic platform for higher education institutions to adapt to market demands. It also enables them to contribute to sustainable development.
“This event also serves as a platform to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new collaborations across borders. Through international cooperation, we can enhance academic exchanges, research initiatives, and joint programs. These efforts drive global integration between education and industry,” Prof. Hartono explained.
Following his remarks, Mandy Mok, CEO and Founder of AppliedHE, delivered a speech highlighting the importance of global collaboration. She emphasized that AppliedHE Xchange is more than just a venue for exchanging ideas. It is a forum for building partnerships that create tangible impacts for future generations.
“AppliedHE and UNS are committed to fostering global partnerships in higher education. Through collaboration and innovation, we aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry. This agenda is not just about idea-sharing but about forging meaningful partnerships with various stakeholders,” she concluded.
Keynote Sessions and Panel Discussions
The conference featured several keynote sessions and panel discussions, each offering valuable insights into education and industry collaboration.
- Basaria Tiara Desika L. Gaol, S.E., M.M., Secretary of the Directorate General of International Trade Negotiations, spoke on “Curriculum Alignment with Market Needs in the Context of Free Trade.”
- Prof. Kevin Downing from City University of Hong Kong discussed “Partnering with Industry: Opportunities and Pitfalls.”
- Dr. Berry Juliadi, Director of Learning and Student Affairs in Indonesia, addressed “Advancing Higher Education, Science & Technology for a Future-Ready Nation.”
- Rosma Handayani, Director of Human Resources and General Affairs at PT KAI Indonesia, presented on “Quadruple Helix and Collaborations for a Sustainable Railway Future.”
- Dr. Mulyadi, a member of BPKH, discussed “Sustainable Hajj Financial Management,” illustrating the intersection of education, industry, and faith.
Bridging Academia and Industry
Zeba Salman from Australia moderated a panel discussion titled “Bridging the Academia-Industry Gap.” Panelists included:
- Dr. Mohd Hamisa Bin Abdul Hamid (UCYP Malaysia),
- Prof. Dr. Herman Saputro (UNS Indonesia), and
- Adrian Raymund C. Fernandez (Adamson University, Philippines).
The afternoon sessions featured the AppliedHE “3M” vision presented by Mandy Mok and Ruwan Chithaka. They outlined strategies for closing the academia-industry gap with practical outcomes envisioned by AppliedHE.
Leveraging Alumni for Internationalization
The second day concluded with the AppliedHE Xchange mini-workshop, titled “Leveraging Alumni for Internationalization.” Led by Dary Milani from Australia, the session provided insights on utilizing alumni networks. It focused on enhancing the global reach of educational institutions.
A Global Platform for Collaboration
The AppliedHE Xchange 2025 agenda included an elevator pitch session, which allowed universities from various countries to showcase their innovations. Among them were Adamson University in the Philippines, Sunway University in Malaysia, and Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in South Africa.
AppliedHE Xchange 2025 continues to be a prestigious platform for fostering cross-sectoral collaboration. With UNS as a co-host, the event highlights Indonesia’s role in the global education-industry dialogue. This initiative aligns with the 17th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), “Partnerships for the Goals.” It reinforces the significance of global cooperation in achieving sustainable development.
HUMAS UNS
