BANDUNG, UNIKOM – The Universitas Komputer Indonesia (UNIKOM) commitment to expanding its international academic network while providing global experiences for students continues to be strengthened through various collaborative programs with partner universities abroad. One such initiative was realized through the participation of UNIKOM’s Director of International Programs, Dr. Senny Luckarydi, S.P., M.M., as a keynote speaker at an international conference held over a week from July 20–27, 2026, at Mahasarakham University in Thailand.

Dr. Senny Luckarydi, S.P., M.M., had the opportunity to accept an invitation from Mahasarakham University, one of the largest public universities in Northern Thailand with approximately 50,000 students. The invitation came from the Faculty of Education in connection with an international conference addressing various strategic issues in the development of education and university governance.

On this occasion, Dr. Senny was entrusted to deliver the keynote speech on the theme “Smart University Management.” According to him, the concept of a smart university cannot be interpreted merely as the digitization of learning or a shift in services from conventional systems to online platforms, but rather as a comprehensive transformation in university management. “A smart university is not merely a transition from offline to online, but also a massive transformation in terms of services, governance and management, infrastructure, and so on,” said Dr. Senny.

Furthermore, Dr. Senny explained that the transformation toward a smart university requires integrated changes across various aspects of higher education management. This ranges from how universities provide services to the academic community, to establishing adaptive governance, developing effective management systems, and providing infrastructure capable of supporting a technology-based educational ecosystem.

Dr. Senny’s presence as a keynote speaker is also part of the implementation of UNIKOM’s international collaboration with Mahasarakham University, which not only focuses on inter-institutional academic activities but also opens opportunities for students to gain cross-border learning experiences through student mobility programs. “This includes collaboration on the International Program because we also send students to participate in mobility programs there,” he explained.

In practice, UNIKOM students participating in the mobility program come from the International Relations (IR) and Information Systems programs. The program provides students with the opportunity to experience an international academic environment firsthand, broaden their horizons, build networks, and interact with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

This collaboration will also continue to be developed in both directions. In November 2026, Mahasarakham University is scheduled to send 10 students and 4 faculty members to visit UNIKOM. The delegation’s visit is expected to further strengthen academic interactions and open up new opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions. In addition to serving as a keynote speaker, this series of international activities also provided an opportunity for Dr. Senny to share her academic knowledge and experience, including through a publication workshop designed to build participants’ capacity in understanding the processes and strategies of scientific publishing.

According to Dr. Senny, the sustainability of international cooperation must be directed toward tangible benefits for both the institutions and the students. Collaboration does not end with ceremonies or the signing of cooperation agreements; rather, it must be realized through various activities that enrich students’ experiences and enhance the quality of education. “Our hope is that our cooperation will grow in both scope and impact. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the quality of education and provide enrichment for students offering them engaging experiences so that their knowledge can be better applied and they are more motivated to pursue their studies,” she explained. Strengthening cooperation with international universities is part of UNIKOM’s efforts to build an increasingly open and globally oriented educational ecosystem. Through student exchange programs, international conferences, academic workshops, and various other forms of collaboration, UNIKOM continues to encourage students and the academic community to develop not only academic competencies but also global experiences and perspectives. These efforts also underscore UNIKOM’s commitment as a Digital Entrepreneurial University to providing an education that adapts to technological advancements, is open to international networks, and offers learning experiences relevant to the needs of the global community. (Directorate of Hms & Pro)