EduAsiaNews, Pattani – Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ) strengthened Indonesia–Thailand education diplomacy through its participation in the 2026 Indonesia Education Fair (IEF) at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Pattani, Thailand, on Wednesday (September 2, 2026). As part of the University Exhibition and Booth Visits, the UPNVJ booth received visits from Sub. Lieutenant Sombat Singkarn, Deputy Governor of Pattani Province, and Herry Purwanto, Head of the Republic of Indonesia Representative Office in Songkhla and Consul for Information, Social Affairs, and Culture at the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla.
The visit provided a strategic opportunity to showcase the strengths of Indonesian higher education while opening opportunities to strengthen academic collaboration between UPNVJ and international partners, particularly in Southern Thailand. The UPNVJ delegation introduced its flagship programs, study opportunities for international students, academic facilities, and experiential learning opportunities offered through Jakarta’s strategic environment.
Sub. Lieutenant Sombat Singkarn welcomed the participation of Indonesian universities in IEF 2026, which gave students from Southern Thailand an opportunity to learn more about higher education options in Indonesia. He noted that international education forums such as IEF play an important role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries through education.
“The presence of Indonesian universities in Pattani gives the younger generation of Southern Thailand an opportunity to gain firsthand information about educational opportunities and build closer relationships through academic engagement,” said Sub. Lieutenant Sombat Singkarn.
Herry Purwanto, Head of the Republic of Indonesia Representative Office in Songkhla and Consul for Information, Social Affairs, and Culture at the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla, also visited the UPNVJ booth. He expressed his support for Indonesian universities’ efforts to expand higher education promotion in Southern Thailand as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Thailand.
“Education is an important bridge for strengthening relations between the people of Indonesia and Thailand. The presence of Indonesian universities at forums such as this creates opportunities to expand cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two countries,” said Herry Purwanto.
IEF 2026 at PSU Pattani brought together 30 Indonesian universities, which introduced a range of leading study programs, scholarship opportunities, academic experiences, and student life to prospective international students. Participating institutions included IPB University, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Universitas Negeri Malang (UM), Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN), and Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta (ISI Yogyakarta).
During the University Exhibition and Booth Visits session, the UPNVJ booth was among those that attracted considerable attention from students in Southern Thailand. From the opening of the exhibition at 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. local time, visitors came to learn more about study programs, the education system, student life, and opportunities to pursue higher education in Jakarta.
Dira, a student at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) who helped assist visitors at the UPNVJ booth, observed the strong interest among Southern Thai students in Indonesian higher education.
“Many students came and asked about study programs, student life, and the experience of studying in Jakarta. They are interested in learning about opportunities to study in Indonesia, particularly at UPNVJ,” said Dira.
Through its participation, UPNVJ introduced its Kampus Bela Negara concept as part of the university’s identity—one that emphasizes not only the development of academic competencies but also character building, leadership, and social contributions at the global level.
UPNVJ Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm., emphasized that the internationalization of higher education is an integral part of the university’s strategy to provide education that remains relevant to global challenges.
“For international students, UPNVJ offers Jakarta as a true classroom. We do not place international students in isolated study bubbles; instead, we provide direct access to Southeast Asia’s largest economic, political, and digital ecosystem,” said Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm.
According to him, the concept of Jakarta as a “learning space” enables international students to gain academic experiences directly connected to the dynamics of society. Students not only study theory in the classroom but also gain an understanding of economic, technological, governmental, and social developments in one of Southeast Asia’s major growth centers.
Through its participation in the 2026 Indonesia Education Fair, UPNVJ continues to expand its international education network while showcasing the quality of Indonesian higher education to the global community. Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm., emphasized that openness to international collaboration is an important step toward producing competent and integrity-driven graduates who embody the values of Bela Negara and are capable of making meaningful contributions to both the nation and the world.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
