Yogyakarta—Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) strengthened its commitment to internationalization with a strategic workshop on February 17, 2025. The event, held at UKDW’s Rev. Harun Hadiwijono Seminar Room, aimed to streamline the university’s global engagement efforts and foster deeper cooperation between its departments.
UKDW Rector Dr.-Ing. Wiyatiningsih opened the session by emphasizing the university’s vision for internationalization. She highlighted its crucial role in academic collaboration and in strengthening UKDW’s global standing. She also expressed appreciation for the leadership and dedication of the faculty members who participated in the workshop, recognizing their contributions to advancing the university’s internationalization efforts. “Through this workshop, we aim to develop strategies that will further our international engagement and foster a globally connected academic community,” she added.
The workshop, attended by university leadership and faculty, sought to raise awareness about the importance of internationalization within the UKDW community, identify key challenges and opportunities in global engagement, and foster collaboration across university departments to strengthen internationalization efforts.
A keynote session featuring Dr. Dian Sari Utami, Director of Partnerships and International Affairs at Universitas Islam Indonesia, was a key highlight of the event. Dr. Utami shared valuable insights into effective strategies for university internationalization. She emphasized a holistic approach, which includes developing globally oriented curricula, offering bilingual or English-taught courses, and fostering sustainable partnerships to enhance student and staff mobility.
She also proposed dedicated systems to track and manage international partnerships. These systems ensure that activities are well-documented, monitored, and aligned with the university’s global goals.
In addition, Dr. Utami underscored the importance of strong leadership commitment and collective effort across departments to overcome challenges. She shared concrete examples from Universitas Islam Indonesia, including faculty training abroad, student exchange programs, and collaborative research partnerships, which have significantly bolstered their internationalization efforts.
The session continued with a dynamic discussion, moderated by Paulus Widiatmoko, M.A., where attendees explored the practical challenges of implementing internationalization at UKDW. A key theme was the urgent need to upgrade digital infrastructure, particularly streamlining university websites and internal systems to provide real-time, accessible information for both internal stakeholders and external partners.
The discussion also addressed the complexities of establishing international partnerships. Participants recognized the challenge of demonstrating the university’s capacity, safety, and academic standards to potential global collaborators. There was broad agreement on the importance of formalizing partnerships through clear agreements, such as Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Implementation Agreements (IAs), to ensure long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation.
The session continued with a discussion led by Dr. Rosa Delima, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Research of UKDW, on developing actionable steps for the university’s internationalization strategy. Dr. Lucia Dwi Krisnawati moderated the session, where faculty leaders shared insights on aligning their departmental goals with the university’s global vision.
As UKDW continues to advance its internationalization efforts, the workshop served as a significant step toward strengthening its global presence. Through meaningful discussions, innovative strategies, and expert insights, UKDW is laying the groundwork for a more globally connected academic community. This initiative reinforces UKDW’s commitment to building sustainable international collaborations and enhancing its role on the global stage. [drr]