EduAsiaNews, Pattani Thailand – Strong interest among students in Southern Thailand in higher education opportunities in Indonesia was evident at the 2026 Indonesia Education Fair (IEF), held at Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Pattani, Thailand, on Wednesday (September 2, 2026). During the “University Exhibition and Booth Visits” session, the exhibition area drew a large number of visitors seeking firsthand information about study programs, scholarship opportunities, and academic experiences offered by Indonesian universities, including Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ).
A total of 30 Indonesian universities participated in IEF 2026 to introduce a range of higher education opportunities to prospective international students, particularly from Southern Thailand.
The UPNVJ booth was among those that attracted considerable attention. A number of Southern Thai students visited the booth to engage directly with representatives about UPNVJ’s flagship study programs, international student admissions, campus life, educational facilities, and opportunities for personal and professional development while studying in Jakarta.
The strong interest from visitors reflects growing opportunities for educational cooperation between Indonesia and Thailand, particularly in expanding access to high-quality study options for young people across the ASEAN region. Students were not only interested in available academic programs but also sought to learn more about the learning experience, academic environment, and life of international students in Indonesia.
Through its participation in IEF 2026, UPNVJ reaffirmed its commitment to higher education internationalization by promoting the concept of Jakarta as a “learning space.” Under this concept, Jakarta is positioned not merely as the location of the university campus, but as a learning ecosystem that provides international students with access to Southeast Asia’s centers of economic activity, government, innovation, and technological development.
UPNVJ Rector Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm., said international students need an educational experience that connects academic learning with the dynamics of the real world.
“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.
The enthusiasm among visitors was also observed by Dira, a Prince of Songkla University (PSU) student who assisted at the UPNVJ booth during the event. She noted that many students were eager to learn more about opportunities to pursue higher education in Indonesia.
“Many students came to the UPNVJ booth and asked about study programs, student life, and the experience of studying in Jakarta. They appeared very interested in learning about opportunities to study in Indonesia, particularly at UPNVJ,” said Dira.
According to her, the participation of Indonesian universities in international education events gives Thai students an opportunity to obtain firsthand information before deciding where to pursue their studies abroad.
UPNVJ’s participation in the 2026 Indonesia Education Fair is part of its efforts to expand international academic networks while showcasing UPNVJ’s identity as a Kampus Bela Negara on the global stage. Through an educational approach centered on competence, character, and social contribution, UPNVJ continues to foster graduates who are capable of competing internationally and making a meaningful impact on the global community.
Prof. Dr. Anter Venus, MA, Comm., emphasized that higher education internationalization is not only about expanding academic partnerships, but also about providing educational experiences that are relevant to global challenges. UPNVJ remains committed to creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration so that students can grow into high-achieving graduates with a global outlook while remaining grounded in the values of Bela Negara.(www.upnvj.ac.id)
