International Youth Program 2026 Strengthens Global Collaboration and Youth Innovation

Kadiri University, through the Office of National and International Affairs, successfully held the International Youth Program 2026, an international conference forum that brought together students from various countries and disciplines. The event was held online on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, via Zoom Meeting and was also livestreamed on the Kadiri University YouTube channel.

Carrying the theme “Youth Innovation and Global Collaboration for a Sustainable Future,” the International Youth Program 2026 served as a platform for international students to exchange knowledge, ideas, and experiences about the role of young people in creating innovation and building sustainable global collaboration.

The event, which ran from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Western Indonesia Time, featured student speakers from various international partner universities, namely Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, De La Salle University–Dasmariñas in the Philippines, PERI Institute of Technology in India, Pathumthani University in Thailand, and Phnom Penh International University in Cambodia, as well as Kadiri University in Indonesia as the host.

The diversity of the speakers’ educational backgrounds and home countries made the forum rich in perspective. The students presented a range of views and ideas based on their respective disciplines, especially those related to youth innovation, education, technology, sustainable development, and the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing various global challenges.

The event opened with remarks from two keynote speakers. The first keynote speaker was Dr. Pamadya Vitasmoro, M.Pd., Head of the Cooperation Unit at Kadiri University. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of providing international spaces for students to develop global perspectives, strengthen cross-cultural communication skills, and expand academic networks.

The second keynote speaker was Dr. B. Magesh, Vice Principal and Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell, or IQAC, at PERI Institute of Technology, India. His presence offered insight into the importance of educational quality, innovation, and inter-institutional collaboration in preparing young people to make meaningful contributions to global society.

The International Youth Program 2026 was moderated by Muhammad Maftukhan. With a communicative and interactive delivery style, the moderator was able to keep the event dynamic, focused, and engaging. Each speaker had the opportunity to present their ideas, experiences, and reflections before participants from diverse backgrounds.

The atmosphere grew even livelier as the event moved into the discussion and Q&A session. Participants and audience members raised a number of thoughtful and substantive questions for the speakers. These questions not only addressed the material that had been presented, but also explored students’ perspectives on the challenges facing young people, opportunities for international collaboration, and the application of innovation in supporting the achievement of a sustainable future.

The speakers responded based on their experience, field of expertise, and conditions in their respective countries. This interaction created a constructive discussion and also showed that cultural and disciplinary differences can be a strength in producing broader and more relevant solutions to various global issues.

The involvement of students from six universities across Asia also showed that international collaboration can be carried out not only through direct student exchange programs. The use of digital technology enables students to stay connected, discuss ideas, and build academic networks without being limited by geographical distance.

Through this activity, Kadiri University demonstrated its commitment to strengthening the internationalization of higher education. The International Youth Program 2026 not only served as a forum for academic presentations, but also as a means to improve students’ confidence, public speaking skills in international forums, critical thinking skills, and understanding of cultural differences.

This program also became one of the strategic steps in strengthening the relationship between Kadiri University and a number of partner universities abroad. The collaboration that has been established is expected to continue growing through various other academic activities, such as joint research, student and faculty exchanges, scientific publications, international seminars, and community service programs.

The theme “Youth Innovation and Global Collaboration for a Sustainable Future” is considered relevant to today’s global challenges. Young people are not only expected to keep up with the times, but also to become drivers of change who bring creative, inclusive, and sustainable ideas.

The success of the International Youth Program 2026 is proof that an international forum involving students can have a positive impact on improving educational quality and strengthening global cooperation. Through spaces for dialogue like this, students are encouraged not only to become recipients of knowledge, but also creators of innovation and agents of change for the future.

With the successful holding of this event, Kadiri University hopes that the spirit of collaboration and friendship among universities can continue to be maintained. The International Youth Program 2026 is expected to be the beginning of more ideas, cooperation, and youth innovation that can make a real contribution to sustainable development at both the national and international.