A total of 62 students from nine universities across five countries are participating in the Global Summer Week (GSW) 2026, held at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM) from 13–24 July 2026. Throughout the two-week program, participants will engage in collaborative learning and discussions on inclusivity and sustainable entrepreneurship.
This year’s GSW carries the theme “Inclusivity and Innovation in Sustainable Entrepreneurship” and is organized in collaboration with the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam. The program brings together students from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (Brunei Darussalam), the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), WU Vienna (Austria), Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Universitas Mulawarman, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, and Universitas Gadjah Mada.
In his opening remarks, Dean of FEB UGM, Prof. Didi Achjari, explained that Global Summer Week, which began as a collaboration with WU Vienna, has evolved into an international learning platform connecting students and academics from around the world. This year, the program welcomes 62 participants, comprising 13 international students from Austria, Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, as well as 49 students from universities across Indonesia.
Prof. Didi emphasized that inclusivity serves as the central theme of GSW 2026. During the program, participants will explore topics such as social entrepreneurship, impact financing, assistive technology, the accessible economy, and diversity management in global workplaces through lectures, workshops, discussions with academics and industry practitioners, and visits to inclusive businesses in Yogyakarta. He expressed his hope that participants would not only gain new knowledge but also build international networks and develop ideas that create meaningful social impact.
“I hope that over the next few weeks you will learn something you never imagined before, build friendships with people from countries you have never visited, and return home with new ideas that can be transformed into meaningful action,” he said.
Earlier, Dr. Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, Head of the International Cooperation Office at UGM’s Directorate of Partnership and Global Relations, expressed his support for Global Summer Week 2026 as part of FEB UGM’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with international universities. He noted that the program not only promotes meaningful knowledge exchange but also fosters collaborative networks that generate tangible benefits for society.
Dr. Tyas encouraged participants to make the most of this opportunity by exchanging experiences, broadening their perspectives, and discussing innovative approaches to advancing sustainable entrepreneurship. According to him, cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for developing innovative solutions to global challenges while creating lasting societal impact.
Meanwhile, GSW 2026 Chair Dr. Annisa Hayatun Nazmi Burhan explained that the program features a series of activities, including Expert-led Talks & Discussions, where participants learn from academics and industry professionals; Business Immersion & Summer Project, which allows students to apply their knowledge through social entrepreneurship projects; and various cultural activities. The two-week summer program is equivalent to 3 academic credits (5 ECTS) and is conducted entirely in Yogyakarta.
Participants will also attend a range of academic sessions covering topics such as Inclusive & Sustainable Business Model, Empathy and Inclusive Design Thinking, Accessible Economy: Rethinking Value Creation, Social Entrepreneurship for Inclusion & Empowerment, Impact Financing and Network for Inclusive Innovation, Accessibility for All: Assistive Technology Innovation, Identifying Inclusive Business Opportunities, Collaborating with Communities for Inclusive Social Impact, and Managing Inclusivity & Diversity in the Workplace.
Reporter: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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