In an effort to advance sustainable development, the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center (Tsinghua SEA), together with Tsinghua University, the National Economic Council (DEN), the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Secretariat of the Organizing Committee of China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, held the China-Southeast Asia Forum on Higher Education and Industry Cooperation 2026 on October 3-4, 2026, at the United In Diversity (UID) Bali Campus, Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Carrying the spirit of strengthening connectivity in support of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the forum served as a meeting point for global leaders, industry experts, and academics to build dialogue and explore collaboration in education, industry and innovation, and the economy.
The event began on October 3, 2026, with a cultural performance featuring barongsai and Balinese barong, symbolizing the close friendship between China and Indonesia. The performance served as a prelude to the main forum on October 4, 2026, at the UID Bali Campus, which discussed the strategic role of higher education institutions in supporting industrial transformation, innovation, and economic development.
At the opening of the main forum, Chairman of the Tsinghua University Council, Prof. Qiu Yong, reaffirmed his institution’s commitment through its evolving global strategy. “This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of Tsinghua University’s Global Strategy. In 2016, Tsinghua introduced its first global strategy to further strengthen Tsinghua’s global engagement and build a more open, integrated and resilient world-class university” he said. He added that universities are becoming increasingly crucial in the age of AI. Through Tsinghua SEA, he hopes to connect universities, government, industry, and the wider community to facilitate the flow of talent, knowledge, and innovation, and further respond more directly to the needs of Indonesia and Southeast Asia, while making the forum a platform for long-term collaboration.
Tantowi Yahya, President of United In Diversity noted that the event is an important moment in commemorating 10 years of Tsinghua University’s international cooperation, noting that Indonesia is one of the largest contributors of Tsinghua University alumni. Tantowi also highlighted various collaborative programs carried out with ministries in Indonesia, such as the Knowledge Innovation Technology Alliance (KITA), which combines science and AI for broad public benefit, and the Happy Digital X program, which has contributed to the planning of efficient, green, and happy digital infrastructure for the development of cities and regencies in Indonesia, such as Sumedang Regency.
In line with this, Chairman of the National Economic Council, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, emphasized the importance of synergy between academia and industry to accelerate knowledge-based economic transformation. Through this exchange of perspectives, the forum served as an opportunity to align the higher education and industry ecosystems, talent development, research, and the application of science and technology. Executive Director of the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center, Shobi Lawalata, reaffirmed Luhut’s views on the importance of AI knowledge transfer for Indonesia’s human resources, sharing that the collaboration between Tsinghua SEA and UID, together with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), has made the UID Bali Campus the Garuda Spark Innovation Hub, which supports the development of young talent in AI and technology. This collaboration opens greater opportunities and strengthens Bali’s position as a center for innovation, technology, and climate action. The presence of partners from diverse sectors at the forum, from biomedical engineering to global green energy companies such as Envision, opened real opportunities for South-South cooperation in accelerating the energy transition and promoting the adoption of AI and technology aligned with the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana.
As a concrete outcome of the dialogue, the forum also hosted the inauguration of the Envision Indonesia Sustainable Development Center, Tsinghua University, established in cooperation with Envision Energy to advance net-zero infrastructure projects and a sustainable future. In addition, the Capsule Dormitory at Tsinghua SEA, named SeedWork & SeedRest Capsules, was inaugurated as a contribution from the Tsinghua University Department of Computer Science Class of 1987 alumni to support learning activities at the center. The forum also witnessed the signing of four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) between Tsinghua University and leading Indonesian universities: Tsinghua University with Institut Teknologi Del (IT Del); Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School with Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS); Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB); and the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, with IPB University. The signings reflect a tangible commitment to strengthening research, academic exchange, capacity building, and innovation directly connected to industry needs.
The event was attended by a number of distinguished figures and cross-border delegations, including Prof. Qiu Yong (Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, Chairman of the Tsinghua University Council, and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences); Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (Chairman of the National Economic Council of the Republic of Indonesia); Prof. Yang Bin (Vice Chancellor of the Tsinghua University Council and Co-Chair of the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Foundation); Prof. Jiang Peixue (Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Vice Chancellor of the University Council, Tsinghua University); Sir Gordon Duff (Co-Chairman of the Board of Management, Tsinghua Southeast Asia Foundation); and Bai Zhen (Deputy Director General of the Guizhou Provincial Department of Education and Deputy Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the Organizing Committee of China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week).
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Tsinghua University’s global strategy, the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center is committed to continuing to grow as an inclusive platform for strengthening cooperation in education, innovation, industry, and cultural exchange among China, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and the global community.