The delegation of Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram (UMMAT) took a group photo after attending the 2026 Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) in Jakarta, June 22–23, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen international networks.
JAKARTA — Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram (UMMAT), through the Office of International Affairs and Cooperation, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing internationalization and expanding global partnerships by actively participating in the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026, held in Jakarta on June 22–23, 2026.
UMMAT was represented by Hj. Dewi Urifah, Lc., M.Pd.I., Secretary of the Office of International Affairs and Cooperation, and Putri Arsani, S.E., M.E., Staff of the Promotion and Partnership Development Unit (UPT PPW) UMMAT. Their participation reflected UMMAT’s strategic efforts to strengthen international cooperation, enhance academic reputation, and contribute to sustainable development through higher education.
The UMMAT delegation attended the Official Congress Opening Ceremony on Monday, June 22, 2026. The opening session brought together university leaders, academics, policymakers, and global stakeholders to discuss the crucial role of higher education in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development. The ceremony also emphasized the importance of international collaboration, innovation, and collective action in building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
During the two-day congress, the UMMAT delegation actively participated in a series of strategic international seminars. These sessions covered key issues related to sustainable development, global cooperation, educational transformation, and the future of higher education leadership.
One of the sessions, “The Role of Regional Cooperation and Multilateral Partnerships in Aligning Trade Strategies with Shared Development and Decarbonisation Goals,” explored the importance of regional cooperation and multilateral partnerships in aligning economic and trade policies with sustainable development and decarbonization goals. The discussion provided valuable insights into how universities can contribute to global sustainability agendas through research, innovation, and strategic collaboration.
Another session, “From Campus to City: How Cross-Sector Collaboration Accelerates Sustainability Innovation in Our Cities,” highlighted the importance of cooperation among universities, governments, industries, and communities in advancing sustainable urban development. The session emphasized the role of higher education institutions as catalysts for innovation, social transformation, and the creation of smart and sustainable cities.
The delegation also joined the seminar “Beyond the Syllabus: Embedding Sustainability into the Larger Learning Journey,” which focused on integrating sustainability values beyond classroom instruction. The session underlined the importance of cultivating lifelong learning, global citizenship, and social responsibility among students, while preparing graduates to respond to complex global challenges.
The delegation of Universitas Muhammadiyah Mataram (UMMAT) took a group photo after attending the 2026 Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) in Jakarta, June 22–23, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen international networks.
On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the UMMAT delegation participated in “Setting the Scene: Building Alliances to Ensure Higher Education Delivers a Sustainable Future.” This audience-driven and alliance-building session emphasized the importance of reputational networking and strategic partnerships. It also provided opportunities to connect with international academics and university leaders, while exploring potential follow-up collaborations and Academic Reputation Survey initiatives.
The delegation further attended the session “What Should Educational Leadership for Sustainability Look Like?” which discussed the future direction of higher education leadership in promoting sustainability. The session highlighted visionary, transformational, and collaborative leadership models capable of integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Target 4.7 on Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship. The discussion offered important perspectives for university leaders in responding to globalization, digital transformation, and Society 5.0.
In addition to attending seminars, the UMMAT delegation actively supported and promoted the UMMAT exhibition booth during the congress. Hj. Dewi Urifah and Putri Arsani also visited various exhibition booths and institutional stands from domestic and international organizations. These engagements created valuable opportunities to establish academic connections, exchange ideas, and explore future collaborations in education, research, community engagement, faculty and student mobility, joint publications, and other international programs.
The networking activities served as an important step in strengthening UMMAT’s global visibility and expanding sustainable partnerships that support the university’s long-term development and competitiveness.
Through its active participation in GSDC 2026, UMMAT gained valuable experiences, broadened its international networks, and obtained new insights into sustainable higher education, global partnerships, and innovative leadership. These experiences are expected to further strengthen the Office of International Affairs and Cooperation as one of the key drivers of UMMAT’s internationalization agenda.
UMMAT’s participation in the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026 demonstrates the university’s strong commitment to enhancing academic excellence, promoting international engagement, and contributing meaningfully to sustainable development at both national and global levels. This commitment is also aligned with UMMAT’s aspiration to become an impactful university rooted in the values of Progressive Islam or Islam Berkemajuan. (HUMAS UMMAT)