On April 18, 2026, the graduation ceremony for the third cohort of the “Happy Digital X: Cities, Systems, Products and Services” Program (HDX), along with the forum “The Power of AI: Transforming Sustainable Enterprises and Entrepreneurship,” was held at the Tsinghua University Southeast Asia Center (Tsinghua SEA).
The third cohort of HDX, offered by Tsinghua SEA in collaboration with Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduation School (Tsinghua SIGS), was launched on December 12, 2025, and utilized a hybrid online and offline teaching model. Tailored specifically for the sustainable development of Indonesia and Southeast Asian nations, the program featured faculty from world-class institutions, including Tsinghua University and MIT and focused on systemic leadership utilizing digital technologies—such as ICT and Big Data—to enhance urban sustainability. To date, the HDX program has trained over 150 cross-sector participants, primarily from Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Key Attendees and Speakers
The event brought together a distinguished group of leaders from government,
academia, and industry:
● Meutya Hafid: Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Republic of Indonesia
● Aju Widya Sari: Director for AI & New Technology Ecosystem, Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Republic of Indonesia
● M. Riza A. Damanik: Deputy Minister for Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Republic of Indonesia
● Vivi Yulaswati: Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Republic of Indonesia
● H.E. Zhang Zhisheng: Consul General, Chinese Consulate General in Denpasar
● Cherie Nursalim: Co-Chair Tsinghua SEA and Co-Founder United in Diversity (UID)
● Sir Gordon Duff: Chairman of the Board of Management, Tsinghua Southeast Asia Foundation
● Tantowi Yahya: President, United in Diversity Foundation
● Liu Bibo: Director of Tsinghua SEA and Assistant Dean of the PBC School of Finance, Tsinghua University
● Pakar Akademik dan Industri: Profesor Victor Chan Professor Victor Chan (Tsinghua SIGS); Amit Gupta (Founder of Ecosystm); Dr. Peter D. Finn (CEO of Synectify); Donald Tirtaatmadja (Technology Director at AWS Indonesia); Shobi Lawalata (Executive Director, Tsinghua SEA); Muhamad Yopan (Head of Public Sector at AWS Indonesia); and Philip Setiadi (Country Director of Stanford Seed Indonesia).
Insights from the Forum
Regulation and Strategy
In her keynote speech, Minister Meutya Hafid praised the efforts of Tsinghua SEA, recognizing the role of educational initiatives such as the HDX program in cultivating future-ready leaders who can design technology solutions that prioritize people and communities. She emphasized that robust and responsible AI regulation is an immediate necessity, highlighting that Indonesia is finalizing a National AI Roadmap and Ethical Framework. She asserted that AI must drive inclusive economic growth that aligns with sustainability.
Vivi Yulaswati further detailed Indonesia’s digital transformation strategy, highlighting that strong partnerships between academia and industry are essential for improving AI literacy and ecosystem integration.
The Human Element in AI
Prof. Liu Bibo noted that while AI is reshaping the world at an unprecedented pace, the ultimate outcome is determined by people, not technology. He emphasized that leadership, judgment, and purpose are vital to ensuring technology serves society. Similarly, M. Riza A. Damanik stressed that the future belongs to those who apply technology with principles and creativity, particularly to benefit SMEs, which are the backbone of Indonesia’s economy.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
During a panel discussion, Amit Gupta, Peter Finn, and Donald Tirtaatmadja explored how AI can empower green technologies and “mission-driven entrepreneurship”. They discussed AI’s role in promoting long-term social value and equitable growth in a competitive global landscape.
Student Achievements and Closing
HDX3 participants presented prototype projects developed for real-world stakeholders:
● Regenerative Agriculture: Assisting a social enterprise in Bali in using digital tools
to link corporate sustainability commitments with regenerative farming.
● Higher Education AI: An AI-based solution and smart chatbot for a Malaysian university to integrate academic data and improve institutional governance.
In his closing remarks, Sir Gordon Duff expressed confidence in Indonesia’s regional leadership. He encouraged graduates to use their knowledge to create meaningful social impact, envisioning a future where AI respects culture and protects the environment while fostering global peace and prosperity.
Happy Digital X: Cohort 3.0 Graduates:
1. Arresto Ario, Vice President Director, PT Equity Finance Indonesia
2. Ts. Abdul Mueiz bin Rosli, IT Officer, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
3. Dr. Ahmad Amri bin Zainal Adnan, Lecturer of Faculty Of Management And Economics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
4. Dr. Ahmad Rafaei bin Ahmad Suhaimi, IT Officer, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
5. Dr. Ahmad Wiraputra, Lecturer of Faculty Of Computing And Meta-Technology, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
6. Dr. Amelia binti Mohd Noor, Lecturer of Faculty Of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
7. Gunawan, Vice President of Customer Experience, Directorate of Retail & Commercial, PT PLN Persero
8. Hendry, IT Manager, PT. Asuransi Dayin Mitra Tbk
9. Irman Alvian Zahiruddin, Chairman, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Spain and Portugal Bilateral Committee
10. Dr. Jason Wong Yoke Seng, Lecturer, Faculty Of Computing And Meta-Technology, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
11. Komang Jumantara
12. Matheus Saniang Naga Siagian, Entrepreneur, PT.Baka Intensi Gani, CV Tree Top, PT.Kawan Mas, PT. Mesa Global Energi
13. Mazmur Hamonangan Damanik, Head Investment Analysis, PT Bali Turtle Island Development
14. Dr. Mohd Muslim bin Md Zalli, Lecturer of Faculty of Human Development, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
15. Nathalie Demaurex, Independent Philanthropy & Program Development Consultant
16. Pn. Nurul Ashikin binti Ahmad, Admin Officer in Academic Division Department, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
17. Dr. Nurul Hila binti Zainuddin, Lecturer of Faculty Of Science And Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
18. Selo Kusuma Ardi, Senior Manager Quality, GT Radial – Giti Indonesia
19. Dr. Vasanthan A/L Gurusamy, Lecturer of Faculty Of Human Sciences, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
20. Videl Farinsi Oemry, Head of SEZ Administration & Regulations, PT Bali Turtle Island Development
21. Yulia Takuma Dewi, Vice President of Electricity Related Business Development, PT PLN Icon Plus
About Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center
The Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center (Tsinghua SEA) is a regional hub for innovation, education, and collaboration dedicated to advancing sustainable development and digital transformation across Southeast Asia. Through executive education programs such as Happy Digital X (HDX), the Center equips leaders and entrepreneurs with the skills and mindset needed to harness technology for meaningful societal impact.
Tsinghua SEA has convened global experts through high level forums such as the annual Bali Workshop on Music and Brain in partnership with the Tsinghua Laboratory for Brain and Intelligence, the Holographic Duality in Quantum Computational Models, celebrating 100 years quantum science and technology, as well as the Tri Hita Karana Future Knowledge: Knowledge Innovation Technology Alliance High Level Dialogue, aimed at elevating the higher education system in Indonesia. Find out more: https://tsea.asia/.
The 2nd International Conference of Indigenous Wisdom in Contemporary World
The 2nd International Conference on Indigenous Wisdom in the Contemporary World (CIWCW 2026) will be held on 4 September 2026 at Tsinghua SEA, in collaboration with Universitas Udayana and other national and international partners, with the theme “The Future in Balance: AI, Humanity, and Sustainability.” CIWCW 2026 will convene scholars, policymakers, practitioners, technologists, and indigenous knowledge holders to explore how indigenous wisdom can guide the ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development of artificial intelligence.
The Call for Abstract is now open and can be submitted through the conference website.
Find out more: https://tsea.asia/ciwcw-2026/